tour catalogue - Rockjumper Birding Tours

Tour
Catalogue
1998
About us
O
Drakensberg Rockjumper by Adam Riley
ur tour leaders are all passionate birders and
accomplished tour coordinators who derive great
pleasure from sharing their birding experiences with
others. Most of our tours are guided by full-time Rockjumper
leaders, often with the backup of the most experienced local
birders across the globe. Whilst we guarantee that our leaders
have superb birding skills, we also appreciate that they
need to be personable, professional, friendly, attentive and
dedicated to delivering a rewarding, educational, safe and
enjoyable birding experience!
Our office team is based in Pietermaritzburg, South
Africa, and is highly skilled at orchestrating the complex
arrangements that efficient and organized traveling
requires. Questions are gladly answered in a friendly and
comprehensive manner, and you will find that booking with
us is nothing but a pleasure. We do our utmost to ensure that
all your requests and requirements are met; whether before,
during or after your tour with us.
Website www.rockjumperbirding.com
Email [email protected]
Alternative Email [email protected]
Telephone +27-333-940-225 / 51
USA & Canada Toll-free 1-888-990-5552
Australia +617-5538-8484
Fax +27-880-333-940-225
Facebook Rockjumper - Worldwide Birding Adventures
Blog www.rockjumperbirding.blogspot.com
TWITTER @RockjumperTours
You can also look for us on
GOOGLE+, INSTAGRAM, Pinterest,
Flickr & Tumblr
Postal PO Box 13972, Cascades, 3202, South Africa
Our leader to guest ratio is one of the best in the birding
tour industry and most of our tours have a maximum of
eight participants, giving our guests a very personalized
tour experience. For some destinations we provide two
leaders with an absolute maximum of 12 participants. The
only exception to this is cruises, where larger groups are
unavoidable.
Our tour costs and booking conditions represent excellent
value and are very reasonable. Although we are not always
the least expensive in the market, it is important to compare
exactly what you are getting when dealing with low-cost or
local operators. In particular, the services of a professional tour
leader can make or break your vacation, especially in remote
countries where traveling provides additional challenges.
All tour details including dates and costs are listed in the insert
at the back of this catalogue. Due to constantly fluctuating
exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies but the
tour price is fixed only in the currency printed in bold, and
the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted
according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final
invoicing. The same applies to domestic flight (where
applicable) and single supplement rates (ss). Please note
that even though domestic flight costs have been quoted
separately, the Rockjumper office will still book these flights
for you at no extra charge. We accept payment by wire
transfer, PayPal, credit card and US$ checks.
Please note that although we will adhere to the tour dates,
leaders and prices listed in the insert as closely as possible,
they are subject to change.
Our scheduled tours are generally designed for the keen
birder, although the pace varies from tour to tour. For
example, our Cape Wildflowers, Birding & Big Game tour is a
relaxed birding journey with time dedicated to exploring the
tapestry of spectacular wildflowers that grace the Cape region
of South Africa. On the other hand, our Colombia 1,000 Birds
Mega Tour is a more intense adventure suited to hardcore
birders looking to boost their life lists. Between these
extremes fall the balance of our tours, which are designed to
maximize the birding experience without feeling rushed. We
also include the salient highlights of every region we visit,
be it the Taj Mahal and Tigers in India, or Jaguars and Giant
Otters in Brazil.
Our loyalty program offers a 10% discount (limited to
US$600) on every 5th full (14-day or longer) tour booked
directly with Rockjumper. We also give a $300 discount to
anyone who signs up for two back-to-back full Rockjumper
tours. This is designed to assist guests who wish to travel
for longer periods and make the most of expensive flights
to distant parts of the world. We also offer a US$400 referral
discount to any of our loyal guests who refers someone who
has not traveled with us before, provided the referred person
signs up for one of our scheduled departures. Our innovative
Birding by Invitation Club is described on page 5 (for full
terms and conditions of all our loyalty programs, please refer
to our website.)
Our conservation initiative includes activities undertaken by
the Rockjumper Birding Conservation Fund. A proportion of
the fees from each tour sign-up is used solely to conserve the
birds that give our lives so much fulfillment and joy.
We offer professional tour leaders, small groups, solid value and a long-established reputation
Welcome
Dear Friends of Rockjumper
Welcome to our latest Rockjumper Tour Catalogue. We are honored to present to
you more than 200 world-class birding tours that we schedule annually. Spanning
all seven continents and over 100 countries, our tours deliver an incredibly
comprehensive selection of the ultimate birding and natural extravaganzas that our
planet offers. Every tour has been carefully selected, timed and crafted to ensure that
it encompasses the very best birding experiences available in each region. These
tours are described in the pages of this catalogue, with a few representative photos
to whet your appetite, and tour dates, rates and other information can be found in
the insert at the back of this document.
Our tour leaders add a critical dimension to each of these tours by ensuring they
are fun, educational and professionally conducted whilst maximizing the birding
encounters. After more than 16 years in the industry, you can be assured that our
dedicated team of support staff has the experience and expertise to ensure that your
journey with us is a pleasure, from first contact until after you return home from your
tour.
We also specialize in arranging private, customized tours for groups of any size and
we would be thrilled to make your dream vacation become a reality.
The Rockjumper Team would like to thank all our participants and friends for your
amazing support since our launch in 1998, it is you who have made Rockjumper
the largest and most successful bird tour company in the world! On our part we
continually strive to make Rockjumper the most innovative birding tour company.
Besides our suite of cutting-edge tours, our Birding by Invitation Club introduced on
page 5 is further testimony to our achievement of this goal.
We trust that you will enjoy perusing this mouth-watering selection of tours and we
look forward to you sharing a birding adventure of a lifetime with us!
The Rockjumper Team
Cover image: Blue-breasted Bee-eater by Markus Lilje
As part of our commitment to reducing our environmental impact, this brochure has been
printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper. The wood fibre used in this
paper is sourced from sustainable forests and is chlorine-free and acid-free.
Shoebill by Markus Lilje
31
Contents
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18
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24
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28
30
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36
38
40
44
46
48
50
54
56
58
60
62
64
66
Our sister companies
Birding by Invitation Club
Our Team
Custom Tours
Africa & The Middle East
South Africa & Lesotho
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi
Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda
Uganda, Ethiopia & Djibouti
Angola, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe & Republic of the Congo
Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal & The Gambia
Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius & Réunion
Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan,
Oman & UAE
Europe
Spain, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria,
Slovakia, Georgia, Armenia, Finland, Sweden & Iceland
Asia
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, China & Mongolia
India, Sri Lanka & The Maldives
Nepal, Bhutan & Myanmar
Thailand, Malaysia & Borneo
Cambodia, Vietnam, The Philippines & Japan
Indonesia including West Papua
Australasia
Papua New Guinea & Melanesia: Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga & West Samoa
Australia, New Zealand & Subantarctic Islands
South America
Chile, Argentina & Paraguay
Brazil, Guyana & Venezuela
Bolivia & Peru
Ecuador, Galápagos Islands & Colombia
Central America & The Caribbean
Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala & Belize
Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles
& Trinidad and Tobago
North America
Mexico & USA including Alaska and Hawaii
Global Cruises
Canadian Arctic, Spitsbergen & Russian Far East
Antarctica, Falklands, South Georgia & Atlantic Islands
Greenland
pg 64
USA: Alaska
pg 62
Sweden
pg 26
Canada:
Canadian Arctic cruise
pg 64
Austria, Czech
Republic, Slovakia
& Hungary
pg 26
Mexico
pg 62
Dominican rep.
pg 60
USA
pg 62
Jamaica
pg 60
Cuba
pg 60
Guatemala
pg 58
Panama
pg 58
Galápagos islands
pg 56
Puerto Rico
pg 60
CApe Verde
pg 24
Senegal &
The Gambia
pg 20
Guyana
pg 50
Colombia
pg 56
Ghana
pg 20
Peru
pg 54
Angola
pg 18
Paraguay
pg 48
Bolivia
pg 54
Chile
pg 48
Republic of
the Congo
pg 18
São Tomé &
Príncipe
pg 18
Brazil
pg 50
CAmeroon
pg 20
Gabon
pg
Trinidad & Tobago
pg 60
Venezuela
pg 50
The
Tunisia
pg 24
Canary Islands
pg 24
Lesser Antilles
pg 60
Costa Rica
pg 58
Ecuador
pg 56
WORLD
Spain
pg 26
Morocco
pg 24
Belize &
Honduras
pg 58
USA: Hawaii
pg 62
Finland
pg 26
Iceland
pg 26
Argentina
pg 48
namibia
pg 12
Falkland Islands
pg 66
according to
Botswana
pg 12
South Africa
pg 10
Atlantic Islands
Cruise
pg 66
Rockjumper
South Georgia
pg 66
Antarctic cruises
pg 66
2
Antarctica
pg 66
Spitsbergen Cruises
pg 64
Can't decide on a tour?
Russia:
Wrangel Island
pg 64
Myanmar
pg 32
Kenya
pg 14
Lesotho
pg 10
Zimbabwe
pg 12
Papua New Guinea
pg 44
Mauritius &
Réunion
pg 22
Madagascar
pg 22
Solomon Islands
pg 44
Fiji
pg 44
The Maldives
pg 30
Comoros
pg 22
Zambia
pg 12
Vietnam
pg 38
Sri Lanka
pg 30
Seychelles
pg 22
pacific cruises
pg 64
west
Samoa
pg 44
Malaysia
pg 36
Indonesia
pg 40
Australia
pg 46
Vanuatu
pg 44
New
Caledonia
pg 44
eastern
Indonesian cruises
pg 40
Subantarctic islands
cruise
pg 46
1. Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise
2. Northern Peru & Classic Peru
3. Malaysia & Borneo - Rainforest Birds & Birding
4. Bhutan - Birding the Buddhist Kingdom
5. Guatemala - Central American Specialties
1. Kenya Mega (84)
2. South Africa Mega (74)
3. Kenya & Tanzania - Birds & Big Game (67)
4. Eastern South Africa + Cape Extension (60)
5. Uganda - Birds & Gorillas (84)
1. Budget Eastern & Western South Africa
2. Budget Morocco Birding
3. Budget Ghana
4. Northern Peru - Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail
5. Bulgaria & Romania in Winter
Tonga
pg 44
Melanesian
cruises
pg 44
New Zealand
pg 46
per diem cost
Oman
pg 24
1. Australia - East Coast + Extensions
2. Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera - Wallacean Endemics
3. South Eastern Brazil
4. The Philippines - Endangered Endemics + Visayan Extension
5. Madagascar Comprehensive + Masoala Extension
CAmbodia
pg 38
India
pg 30
Tanzania
pg 14
Malawi
pg 12
The Philippines
pg 38
Tours with
the most
spectacular
birds
Uganda
pg 16
China
pg 28
Thailand
pg 36
U.A.E.
pg 24
Ethiopia &
Djibouti
pg 16
Rwanda
pg 14
Bhutan
pg 32
Nepal
pg 32
Jordan
pg 24
1. Colombia Mega (1044)
2. Kenya Mega (817)
3. Northern Ecuador - Birding the Andes to the Amazon +
Sani Extension (7 74)
4. Colombia - Andean Endemics + Santa Marta Extension (764)
5. South Ecuador Endemics + Shiripuno Extension (764)
Tours with
the highest
mammal
species totals
Egypt
pg 24
Japan
pg 38
Mongolia
pg 28
Kazakhstan
pg 28
Bulgaria
pg 26
per number of
bookings each year
Georgia &
Armenia
pg 26
Our most
inexpensive
tours
Romania
pg 26
Our most
popular tours
Uzbekistan
pg 28
top
1. Eastern South Africa + Cape Extension
2. Kenya & Tanzania - Birds & Big Game
3. Ethiopian Endemics Birding
4. Madagascar Comprehensive
5. Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise
Tours with the
highest bird
species totals
Russia:
Russian Far East cruises
pg 64
tours
Tours with the
most possible
endemics
Maybe this will help...
5
3
ORYX
Worldwide Photographic Expeditions
www.oryxphotography.com
ORYX Photographic Expeditions prides itself on crafting
unique, specialized wildlife and cultural photographic
expeditions to the most photogenic destinations.
We offer a variety of photographic safaris, suitable for both
amateur and professional photographers, either as set
departure expeditions, or as customized tours to fit your
particular photographic needs or travel desires. In order
to offer you a more personal experience and one-on-one
tutoring, our maximum group size is usually limited to six.
Furthermore, our expedition leaders are not only
award-winning photographers who have been published
worldwide, but are also extremely knowledgeable
naturalists and experienced tour leaders, dedicating
their lives to capturing truly breathtaking, inspiring and
evocative images. Nothing gives them greater pleasure
than sharing their passion and skills during unforgettable
expeditions to destinations
handpicked for the
phenomenal photographic
opportunities that they
provide.
4
ORYX
Worldwide Wildlife Safaris
www.oryxwildlifesafaris.com
The idea for a wildlife-focused tour company first came to
mind several years ago whilst trekking for Giant Panda in
the remote Tien Shan Mountains of China. ORYX Wildlife
Safaris has since more than fulfilled this brief with a suite of
tours that showcases the iconic wildlife gracing our planet.
We offer both luxury private customized wildlife vacations
to the world’s premier ecolodges as well as scheduled
wildlife tours to the world's last wildernesses. With us
you will be enthralled by authentic wildlife experiences,
including up close-and-personal views of the “Big Five”
in Africa, searching for Tiger, Snow Leopard and Greater
One-horned Rhinoceros in the thriving parks of India, or
enjoying a bounty of cetaceans and Polar Bears in the icy
reaches of Spitsbergen.
Our tours deliver the holiday of your dreams while visiting
some of the planet’s most remote, intact and wildlife-rich
destinations. Our passion for nature, strong commitment
to conservation, wealth
of knowledge and service
excellence will ensure
your wildlife experience is
unforgettable.
TAU
Anthropological Safaris
www.tauanthropologicalsafaris.com
Through Tau we weave together and explore four diverse
and fascinating fields; namely anthropology, archaeology,
traditional and modern interactions between man and
wildlife (including game tracking), and the story of
human evolution. In the process we will visit some of the
world’s most important prehistoric sites and more modern
architectural marvels, discover areas of pristine wilderness,
spend time observing primate behavior and interact with
tribes who proudly maintain their traditional cultures.
Led by Lee Gutteridge, an author and professional guide
and tracker with over twenty years safari experience, our
tours deliver a unique and fascinating insight into man's
past. Tours with Tau are life-changing, intelligent travel
experiences; together we will experience the world’s
wildlife as man has done since time immemorial, meet
with some of the world’s last unchanged traditional
cultures, explore our human history and study fascinating
primate species - including some
of our closest relatives, in whose
eyes we may hope to see ourselves
reflected.
Reticulated Giraffe by Markus Lilje
Maasai warrior detail by Marius Coetzee
Bengal Tiger by Markus Lilje
Antarctica photographic expedition by Steven Phillips
Our sister companies // photographic, wildlife, anthropological & spanish language tours
SURICATO
Safaris
www.suricatosafaris.com
Suricato Safaris es la división de habla hispana de la familia
Rockjumper/Oryx/Tau. Nuestro objetivo es brindar servicios
a viajeros de naturaleza que hablen español, enfocándonos
principalmente en viajes que incluyan, además de áreas de
interés natural, aquellas que tengan atractivos culturales.
Además de ofrecer expediciones programadas, nos
especializamos en personalizar servicios, para que nuestros
clientes disfruten al máximo de su experiencia de viaje.
Nuestros safaris están diseñados para satisfacer las
necesidades de todo tipo de viajeros de naturaleza, desde
observadores de aves, hasta fotógrafos.
Nuestra misión es hacer realidad su sueño de explorar
aquellos paraísos naturales alrededor del mundo que
siempre quiso conocer. Desde las planicies del Serengeti,
hasta las selvas de Borneo; desde la Costa Esqueleto hasta
Papua Nueva Guinea, Suricato Safaris lo invita a descubrir
un mundo de maravillas naturales
y culturales de la mano de expertos
naturalistas de habla hispana.
Birding by invitation club //
Birding tours are wonderful adventures... especially when you're with companions who enrich the experience...
Like-minded birding adventures!
How many times, once you've returned home, have you basked in the glow of the tour - fondly
reminiscing not just about the birds, the wildlife, the places or the guides, but also the travel companions
with whom you shared this experience? Or alternatively, have you ever had a tour marred by a participant
who had completely different expectations or birding requirements of the tour than yourself?
Rockjumper prides itself in being at the cutting edge of the birding tour industry and we are pleased
to introduce the next level of birding tours: our Birding by Invitation Club. Think of it as group matchmaking for like-minded birders! Based upon a detailed questionnaire that club applicants fill in,
members of our club will be invited onto especially designed and customized birding tours that are
not publicly available. Invitations will only be offered to a select group of people who share similar
birding interests, goals, levels of fitness and budgetary restraints as you.
Maybe you want a hardcore birding tour that focuses on endemics and offers no frills? Perhaps you
prefer to travel at a more relaxed pace and stay at more comfortable accommodations, or you'd
like to focus on your photography rather than racking up as many species as possible? Budgetary
constraints; destinations; tour length; target species; combinations of birding and other aspects such
as cultural, botanical, wildlife and photography; fitness levels; group sizes; couples vs single travellers
and times of year are all major considerations.
Each tour will be designed around the requirements of a particular subset of club members. You will
then be invited to participate in a tour that meets your personal criteria. Not only will the tour meet
your specifications, but you will also only travel with participants who do not clash with your tour
expectations. Furthermore Birding by Invitation Club members will be offered extremely generous
incentive discounts based on a point system which takes into account the number of tour invitations
that you accept.
If you are interested in being part of Rockjumper’s innovative Birding by Invitation
Club please email us on [email protected]. Birding by Invitation only
tours will be available from 2016.
57
Our Team // full-time guides
Adam Riley qualified as a chartered accountant,
but his passion for birding, wildlife and travel
led to him co-founding Rockjumper Birding
Tours in 1998. Adam has traveled extensively
throughout the world, leading tours to over 60
countries and racking up a bird list of over 2,000
species on the African continent and 7,000
worldwide. Adam is the Managing Director
of Rockjumper and co-founder of ORYX
Photographic Expeditions, ORYX Wildlife
Safaris and Tau Anthropological Safaris.
Adam Walleyn was born and
raised in the Canadian prairies. A
birder and naturalist from a very
young age, he spent his youth in the
field – birding, conducting faunal
surveys and gaining an
intimate knowledge of
the area’s natural history. He
has seen over 8,000 bird species and has
been involved in research and
recovery plans on critically
endangered species.
Andrew Stainthorpe is a passionate
birder who hails from our home country, South
Africa. He has over 15 years birding and
guiding experience and his qualifications
include SKS (Specialized
Knowledge & Skills) guiding
involving dangerous
game. Andrew’s career has
included numerous years of
conservation work and
he is now a full-time
Rockjumper tour
leader.
Clayton Burne also hails from South Africa. Before becoming
a full-time Rockjumper tour leader he worked as a
museum technician and ornithological researcher,
spent five years safari guiding and several
years in the field of ophthalmology. Clayton
has recently completed a year-long birding
expedition around South America,
in the process accumulating an
in-depth knowledge of the
region’s birds and wildlife.
6
part-time guides
Chris Sharpe is a very experienced
ornithologist and birding tour leader. He was
a Venezuelan resident for many years and
has worked throughout Latin America. He is
the author of numerous books and articles on
birds and conservation in the region
and helped launch the
Neotropical Bird
Club in 1993.
Cuan Rush
has enjoyed a
lifelong passion for the African bush, its
fauna and flora and the conservation thereof.
After schooling he first completed a 3-year
conservation diploma before launching
his career in bird related work, including
spending several years developing birding
multi-media products. Cuan divides his
time between heading Rockjumper’s Custom
tours department and leading tours throughout
Africa and Asia.
David Erterius hails from southernmost
Sweden, where he is one of the best-known
and most respected birders in the country.
His meticulous fascination with birds
dates back as far as he can recall. He is
a passionate birder who loves sharing
his encyclopedic knowledge and
unbounded enthusiasm with others.
David has extensive Palearctic,
African and Asian experience.
David Bishop has spent much of his
life intimately exploring the entire Oriental
Region, New Guinea and the South-west
Pacific. As a result David is widely regarded
as one of the most knowledgeable and
experienced bird-tour leaders within
these areas. He has also regularly
led tours to a wide variety of
African destinations.
headquarters staff
David Hoddinott is one of the
world’s most talented birders and has
extensive experience leading birding
tours throughout the globe. His zeal
for birds has earned him the position
of Rockjumper’s senior leader, and he
is well known in birding circles for his
endless energy and legendary spotting
ability. He is one of only 5 birders to have
seen over 2,000 birds in Africa.
Erik Forsyth is a superb birder, raconteur,
is blessed with a contagious sense of humor
and has a wonderful gift for sharing his
enthusiasm and knowledge in the field.
Erik has been a full-time Rockjumper
tour leader for more than 10 years,
and is now based in New Zealand
where he is fast becoming one
of the nation’s top birders.
He guides tours throughout
Asia and Australasia.
Forrest Rowland took his first trip
to the Neotropics at the tender age of 9
and this has blossomed into a lifelong
love affair with the region’s birds and
wildlife. He has spent many years in
the field, honing his birding skills
throughout the Americas. Forrest
heads up Rockjumper’s New World
division and is our primary tour
leader in this exciting region.
Glen Valentine’s unquestionable passion for birds
developed at an extremely tender age. Glen has traveled
extensively in Africa and is fast becoming Rockjumper’s
lead Asia and Australasia birding tour leader.
He possesses exceptional birding skills
and a personable nature, coupled with
hearty levels of enthusiasm and enviable
knowledge and experience. He is also
the youngest person to have seen
850 bird species in Southern Africa.
Keith Valentine developed his interest
in the outdoors and birding at a very
young age. He is now a long-standing
Rockjumper employee and plays an
essential role in the management of the
company, as well as leading birding
tours throughout Africa, Asia and
Madagascar. His calm demeanor
and in-depth knowledge of each
region’s birds and wildlife make
him one of our most popular leaders.
Lee Gutteridge is a professional
tour leader, guide trainer and tracker
with over 20 years of bush experience.
He has published 4 books on various
wildlife and anthropological subjects
and his interest and infectious passion for
paleoanthropology and traditional
cultures has led him to co-found Tau
Anthropological Safaris in partnership
with Adam Riley.
Luis Segura has been a birding
tour leader since 1982, during which
time he has amassed a wealth of
experience in the complicated
logistics of international travel.
Luis also co-founded Suricato
Safaris, a specialist wildlife
tour company for Spanish
speaking naturalists, with
Adam Riley.
Mark Beevers hails from the UK
and has been a birder for most of his
life. Mark has enviable people skills, an
easy-going nature and an incredible
knowledge of Palearctic birds, much to
the advantage of our European, Middle
Eastern and North African tours. He
is also one of few birders to have
passed the 1800 mark for his Africa
list and has done over 20 tours to
the continent.
Markus Lilje initially fulfilled his passion for
birding and wildlife by guiding in and around
Kruger National Park for over five years. His
incredible knowledge of all aspects of the
natural world makes him an invaluable asset
to both Rockjumper and ORYX, for which he
leads birding and wildlife tours throughout
the globe. He is also fluent in German and is
an accomplished photographer.
Rainer Summers holds a BSc
Honors degree in Conservation
Biology and Ecology and has
been passionate about
birding and nature since an early age.
His extensive world birding and
wildlife experience, exceptional
enthusiasm and extremely likeable
personality make Rainer one
of our most popular leaders.
Rainer is also involved in the
senior management of ORYX
Photographic Expeditions.
Rich Lindie has traveled, birded and
photographed on every continent, amassing
an incredible knowledge of the world’s birds
and wildlife in the process. Attentive and
enthusiastic, Rich enjoys showing others
the natural world as much as he
loves discovering its wonders
for himself. He is also a highly
proficient photographer
and his images appear on
several photo stock sites.
Rob Williams is an experienced biologist,
conservationist and birder who specializes in
the New World tropics. He lived in
Ecuador and Peru for many years
and has guided birding tours on
five continents, seeing over
5,000 species in the process.
Wayne Jones has been captivated
by birds and wildlife his whole life. He
worked as a graphic designer and
illustrator for several years before
succumbing to his passion for
birding. Now a full-time Rockjumper
tour leader, he has a thorough
knowledge of Africa and Asia’s birds. His
amiable and enthusiastic nature makes
him a superb birding tour leader.
Local birding leaders and experts from
throughout the world have also been carefully chosen to
lead or co-lead some of our tours. You can rest assured that we have
selected them for their superior knowledge, engaging personalities
and guiding abilities. Many of our local leaders are among the
top birders in their regions, while others are young and upcoming
guides, passionate and eager to make their mark in the guiding
world. Regardless, all can be counted on to do their utmost to
ensure your vacation with Rockjumper exceeds your expectations.
Alison Wakelin has excelled
in handling the complex logistics of
running tours to a mind-boggling
diversity of countries, and with a keen
eye for detail and her commitment for
service excellence she has built a great
relationship with our clients. Alison
works with Cuan Rush in
managing our Custom
tours department.
Anthea Pillay works in our very busy
financial department yet nevertheless
always sports a ready smile. She is studying
towards her B.Com and is responsible for our
accounting, invoicing and tour
documentation functions.
Candice Jack has been in the travel
business for more than a decade and is
fortunate to have traveled the world
during this time. She is now based
at our Rockjumper Headquarters
where she assists in our busy
travel department.
Chevaughn Nagiah joined Rockjumper
after a stint in the financial sector and is a great
addition to our ever-expanding marketing
and admin departments, where she assists
with a variety of tasks including IT and
social media.
Crystal Brook efficiently manages
our sales and bookings department, and
also plays an important role in the
operations side of Rockjumper.
Crystal’s dedication to her work is
exceptional, and she handles all
queries in a cheerful and efficient
manner.
David Kaplan has been in
love with birds since his earliest
childhood memories. Since
joining Rockjumper in 2009,
David manages our website,
Facebook page, itineraries,
photos and trip reports,
amongst other
tasks.
Felicity Riley has an Honors degree
in Horticulture and worked in agricultural
resource management for 14 years. She
now assists in the Rockjumper office with
numerous administrative functions
including banking.
Lorna Symons has travelled
extensively through South and North
America, Europe and, of course,
Africa. She has over 10 years
experience in the travel industry
and now works in our Scheduled
Tours department assisting in
pre-tour support.
Michelle Wells started working in the
tourism industry many years ago. She is
now based at the Rockjumper head office
where she is responsible for numerous
administrative functions essential for our
tour operations.
Praniel Dhanesar is a qualified
Professional Accountant (SA) with almost
20 years’ experience in a professional
accounting practice behind him. Praniel
now assists with Rockjumper’s day-today financial and administrative affairs.
Sarah Dell has an Honours Degree in
Accounting and is involved in various roles at
the Rockjumper office, including pre- and
post-tour support, and assisting in the
operations and finance departments.
Sue Anderson worked at KwaZulu-Natal
Wildlife and BirdLife South Africa before
joining our team, where she works
tirelessly and very efficiently in our
operations department.
Yuraisha Chavan holds an Honors
degree in Marketing and has worked
internationally in both the private
and public sector. She is responsible
for Rockjumper's key marketing
initiatives and strategy.
Other members of our team who are not based in our offices are
David Shackelford, who mans our USA & Canada toll free
line from Texas, Ric Zarwell, who represents us at birding
festivals throughout North America, and Mick Travers, who
represents us in Australia.
9
7
Wilderness Air by Dana Allen © Wilderness Safaris
Custom Tours //
S
ince our establishment in 1998 we have specialized
in both customized tours and scheduled departures.
The spirit of our customized private tours is rooted
in assisting you to realize your dream vacation, whatever
your special interests or budget. Our team of specialist
consultants and tour leaders are highly experienced
and meticulously design each expedition, resulting in a
creatively crafted tour to fit your specific requirements.
Whether it be a relaxed family wildlife vacation, a hardcore
expedition to find rare birds, or a romantic honeymoon
to a luxury game lodge, our customized private tour
department can arrange tours for single travelers through to
large groups. We offer the flexibility of comfortable 3-star
through to luxury 5-star lodgings, ensuring that you enjoy
your adventure at whatever comfort level suits your budget.
Xigera Mokoro Trail © Wilderness Safaris
8
Forest birding in Colombia by Jonathan Rossouw
Lounge area at King's Pool, Linyanti by Mickey Hoyle © Wilderness Safaris
Here’s what some of our guests had to say about their
custom travel experiences with us:
How we go about planning a custom tour:
1... You contact us
“Eliza and I had a wonderful time on our Eastern South Africa trip
with personal extensions to Uganda and Cape Town. We have only
good things to say about Rockjumper, its great guides, and impeccable
planning and execution. I am obviously very pleased by the great
birds (including my three target families), animals, landscapes and
people that we saw. We could not be more pleased!”
Let us know your desires and special interests – you can
either be very specific, or if you are uncertain, allow our
travel planning experts to make suggestions on your behalf.
2... We design your itinerary
Taking into account your requirements, we will draft a
suggested itinerary, which we can discuss and adjust until
you are perfectly satisfied with the locations, timings, travel
arrangements, focus and budget.
Tim Earle, USA
Birding on elephant back in India by Markus Lilje
“I just got back from my epic journey through southern Africa. It
was one of the most enjoyable trips I've ever taken. The success of
this expedition was due in large part to the excellent leadership
provided by Cuan Rush. Cuan was extremely competent, friendly,
helpful and safety conscious. I certainly hope to travel with him
again, and, in fact, he and I started preliminary discussions about 2
possible trips in 2015. I thank you and Rockjumper for providing
me with a great experience, full of memories to treasure for the
future.”
3... You secure your booking
You secure your trip by simply filling out a booking form
and sending us a deposit.
4... We provide you with all necessary
pre-departure information
A pre-departure information pack to prepare you for your
upcoming travel will be sent to you. Our knowledgeable
team will also be on standby to answer all your questions on
visas, flights, vaccinations, recommended reference books,
photographic and other equipment, and anything else that
crosses your mind.
Kalahari Plains camp by Dana Allen © Wilderness Safaris
5... We whisk you away for a vacation of a lifetime
Manny Alvarez, USA
“We had a wonderful time in Ghana! Thank you for your massive
contribution to our great birding holiday. The “Laugh a Minute
Group” were thoroughly impressed by your skills resulting in all of us
seeing hundreds of great birds, with a large quota of lifers included.
My list of 30 lifers was way beyond expectation, pushing me well
over my 2,000 Africa birds target. A special thanks for the extra
effort from your side to achieve this.”
You depart on your trip along with one of our specialized
tour leaders who will take care of all the logistical details
of your travels, sharing along the way his expertise, passion
and knowledge, whether for birds, wildlife, photography,
culture or a combination of these. If you decide on an
unguided tour instead (available on selected destinations
only), then you can relax in the knowledge that our office
team is always only a phone call away (day or night) to
smooth out any unexpected hiccups or to make any last
minute changes you may require.
Scoping larks in Angola by Markus Lilje
David Chamberlain, South Africa
9
Kruger National Park along with the teeming Zululand
game reserves. Besides the exhilarating array of colorful
bushveld birds, we spend time seeking big game and other
wildlife. We also explore endemic-rich mist-belt forests
and Highveld grasslands, as well as scaling the lofty peaks
of the Drakensberg into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
Target birds include Drakensberg Rockjumper, Ground
Woodpecker, Blue Crane, Southern Bald Ibis, Gurney’s
Sugarbird and the lovely Pink-throated Twinspot. On our
Cape Extension we spend unforgettable days exploring the
breathtaking Cape Peninsula and its offshore pelagic waters,
before searching the succulent Tanqua-Karoo and flowerladen West Coast for endemics. Cape targets include African
Penguin, Black Harrier, Southern Black Korhaan, the
glittering Orange-breasted Sunbird, gaudy Cape Sugarbird
and Cape Rockjumper. These tours typically produce
up to 500 bird and 50 mammal species.
Our Cape Wildflowers, Birding & Big
Game tour is scheduled to take in
the very best of the fairest Cape at a time when the Cape
Fynbos and Namaqualand spring flowers are at their
peak. This is the greatest wildflower display on earth
in one of Mother Nature’s most colorful spectacles and
a once-in-a-lifetime event that no nature-lover should
miss! In addition we spend time searching for endemic
birds on the plains of Bushmanland and also big cats and
other game in the famous Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Our Cape to Windhoek - The Best of the West tour is
a two-week adventure that can be taken in conjunction
with our Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls Overland
safari. Besides covering much of the same ground as our
Wildflowers tour, we also include a pelagic birding trip off
the Cape and visit the Great Fish River Canyon.
Our South Africa - Mega Birding Tour is the ultimate
South African birding adventure. We visit every far-flung
corner of our beautiful land and target almost all 143
regionally endemic bird species! From Barlow’s Lark
Cape Sugarbird by Hugh Chittenden
O
ur home country of South Africa is quite simply
one of the planet’s most pleasurable destinations in
which to travel, offering unrivalled wildlife viewing,
world-class infrastructure and unbeatable value for money.
South Africa also boasts the most regionally endemic bird
species of any African country, as well as a rich seabird
assemblage and vast numbers of more widespread, yet no
less spectacular African birds and wildlife. Add to this the
rich botanical heritage, fine food and wines, friendly people,
fascinating history and the scenic splendor of
Africa’s most varied nation, and it’s not hard
to see why South Africa is our most popular
destination!
The combination of Rockjumper’s
two-week Eastern South Africa tour and
six-day Cape Extension is our top seller.
Eastern South Africa offers the classic
African savannas of the world-renowned
10
Pink-throated Twinspot by Adam Riley
Blue Crane by Adam Riley
These tours are also available as customized private departures
AFRICA // southern
in Port Nolloth to Knysna Woodpecker
at Agulhas and Short-clawed Lark near
Polokwane, we traverse deserts, Fynbos,
high mountain passes, rolling grasslands,
tropical dune forests and prime Acacia
savanna in our quest. In the course of this
24-day tour we can expect to amass a very
impressive bird list, observe scores of mammal
species and intimately get to know one of the
world’s most spectacular countries. Our new
Kruger Extension takes us to one of the
planet’s grandest and most famous reserves
in our search to locate some of Africa’s most
iconic birds and big game, including the
legendary “Big Five and the Endangered African
Wild Dog.
has to offer and is the perfect introduction to this vast and
spectacular continent. The trip is taken at a more relaxed
pace and is also suitable for both keen birders and more
general nature enthusiasts alike!
Our new Best of South Africa - Cape & Kruger tour
encompasses three of South Africa’s most bio-diverse and
productive regions; the fantastic Cape Peninsula, the stark
yet endemic-rich Tanqua-Karoo, and the world famous,
bird- and game-filled Kruger National Park. This tour offers
some of the very best birding and game-viewing that Africa
Another new and exciting tour on offer is Northern
South Africa, which takes us to the extremely birdrich savannas and forests in the far north of the
country. The prolific Acacia woodland surrounding
Polokwane holds the localized, endemic
Short-clawed Lark and hordes of other
more widespread but no less
desirable species, while
in the nearby
scarp forests of
Magoebaskloof
we will track down such
mouth-watering
birds as Orange Ground Thrush, White-starred Robin,
Black-fronted and Olive Bushshrike and Swee Waxbill.
The tour also ventures to the less-visited northern part
of the world-famous Kruger National Park as well as the
newly proclaimed national park of Mapungubwe on the
Zimbabwe border. The density of birds in these two regions
African Wild Dog by Marius Coetzee
Rufous-eared Warbler by Glen Valentine
is quite remarkable! We stand good chances of finding
specialties that include Dickinson’s Kestrel, Grey-headed
Parrot, Arnot’s Chat, Böhm’s Spinetail and the rare Thickbilled Cuckoo, plus the chance of encountering a wealth
of mammals including the “Big Five”. We end off in the
productive bushveld north of Pretoria where exquisite
Violet-eared and Black-faced Waxbill, Crimson-breasted
Shrike and a staggering number of Intra-African and
Palearctic migrants reside.
Rockjumper’s Budget Eastern South Africa and Budget
Western South Africa tours showcase the most important
birding and wildlife sites in the country. With fewer frills
than our classic departures, these tours will appeal to
the avid birder looking for an inexpensive but thorough
exploration of our vast and biodiverse nation.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Jackal Buzzard by Hugh Chittenden
South Africa & Lesotho
Violet-backed Starling by Hugh Chittenden
11
AFRICA // southern
These tours are also available as customized private departures
R
Secretarybird by Adam Riley
Crimson-breasted Shrike by Adam Riley
12
ockjumper’s popular Namibia, Okavango &
Victoria Falls Overland safari visits the major
highlights of three of Africa’s most remarkable
countries. This comprehensive tour combines the endemic
birds of the Namib Desert with spectacular tropical savanna
and wetland species. Spending time observing mammals
will also be a major feature as we seek creatures ranging
from elephant-shrews to elephants, as well as the fabled
“Big Five”. We explore the rugged Khomas Highlands
around Windhoek, the desert plains of the Namib-Naukluft,
Walvis Bay where thousands of flamingos and other
waterbirds feast on the riches of the cold Atlantic Ocean,
unrivalled game-viewing in Etosha National Park, the world
famous Okavango Delta in Botswana, the floodplains of the
Okavango and Zambezi River systems and, in Livingstone,
we marvel at one of the world’s most amazing natural
wonders, the mighty Victoria Falls! Birding targets on this
fabulous adventure include Slaty Egret, Wattled Crane,
Ludwig’s Bustard, Rüppell’s Korhaan, Pel’s Fishing Owl
(one of ten possible owls!), Rockrunner, White-tailed Shrike
and an incredible diversity of larks. Mammals abound on
this tour, from Etosha's enormous African Elephants, big
cats (Lion, Leopard and Cheetah) and a mind-boggling
variety of antelope, including regal Sable and Roan, to
fascinating smaller creatures including Meerkat and the
unique Dassie Rat.
The countries of Zambia and Malawi offer superb birding
in two of Africa’s safest regions. The extensive Miombo
woodlands, montane forest patches, dambos and unique
mushutu forests that dominate the countries’ indigenous
habitats harbor an impressive number of range-restricted
endemics. Our comprehensive Zambia tour covers the
country’s best birding sites and habitats. Specialties abound
and include the endemic Chaplin’s Barbet, Anchieta’s
Barbet, eye-catching Black-necked Eremomela, Anchieta’s
Sunbird, Bar-winged Weaver and Grimwood’s Longclaw,
among many others. The attractive, land-locked country of
Malawi with its plateaus, rolling plains, lakes, mountains,
forests and vast Miombo woodlands offers incredible
birding and the opportunity to see many of Africa’s most
localized species. We venture across the length of this
scenic nation, from the Zomba Plateau and idyllic Liwonde
National Park in the south to the vast Nyika and Viphya
Plateaus in the north, and targets include such gems as
Stierling’s Woodpecker, Souza’s Shrike, stunning Whitewinged and endemic Yellow-throated Apalis, gorgeous
Böhm’s Bee-eater, Pel’s Fishing Owl and Scarlet-tufted
Sunbird.
Rüppell's Korhaans by Markus Lilje
Rockrunner by Markus Lilje
Pristine wilderness areas, spectacular landscapes and an
amazing variety of ecosystems make Zimbabwe a natural
history paradise. Our Best of Birding Zimbabwe tour
incorporates a variety of rich habitats and we can expect
unrivalled birding and wildlife experiences. Tour targets
include such specials as Streaky-breasted Flufftail, Striped
Crake, the localized Boulder Chat, Chirinda Apalis, Robert’s
Prinia, stunning Swynnerton’s Robin, Spotted Creeper,
Red-faced Crimsonwing, and Southern Hyliota. Birding
African Pitta by Hugh Chittenden
sites include Gonarezhou National Park, the fantastic Savé
Valley Conservancy and the Miombo woodlands and forests
of the Vumba Mountains. Furthermore, we will take time
to marvel at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, as well as visit
several magnificent panels of San (Bushman) rock art. Big
game abounds and we have the special opportunity to track
both Black and White Rhinoceros on foot and enjoy packs
of African Wild Dog; while exciting night drives offer us
chances for numerous nocturnal species including Leopard,
Brown Hyena, Aardvark and even Ground Pangolin! Our
Victoria Falls Extension takes us to these world famous
falls, rightly considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders
of the World. We will also enjoy quality birding on the
Zambezi floodplain. Avian targets on this adventure include
Slaty Egret, Schalow’s Turaco, Bradfield’s Hornbill and
the rare Shelley’s Sunbird. Finally, our African Pitta
Extension takes us to the middle Zambezi River Valley in
search of one of Africa’s rarest and most highly sought-after
birds – the stunning African Pitta! This area also teems
with numerous other desirable birds including Bat Hawk,
Dickinson’s Kestrel, Lilian’s Lovebird, Eastern Nicator and
the beautiful Livingstone’s Flycatcher.
Böhm's Bee-eater by Hugh Chittenden
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Etosha waterhole scene by Markus Lilje
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi
Livingstone's Flycatcher by Hugh Chittenden
13
14
Purple Grenadier by Rich Lindie
endless plains of the Serengeti, and the verdant riverbeds
of Tarangire. In Kenya we visit key reserves offering a
variety of habitats, from Amboseli in the shadows of Mt.
Kilimanjaro, to the montane forests of Mt. Kenya, fantastic
Shaba in the dry Samburu region, as well as Lake Nakuru,
regularly glowing pink with up to two million Lesser
Flamingos! Offering over 450 bird species and unparalleled
African wildlife experiences, it’s no surprise that this
remains one of our most popular tours. Furthermore, a small
group size of just six guests makes for a very personalized
and enjoyable experience.
K
enya and Tanzania, each boasting a bird list in
excess of a thousand species, epitomize Africa’s
reputation as “the birding continent”, hosting a
profusion of outrageously colorful and easily observable
birds! Augmenting this incredible birding, you are
guaranteed front row seats to the finest mammal show
on the planet. Over our many years of operation in this
region we have tailored an exciting portfolio of tours to
satisfy every visitor, from hardcore birders to travelers
seeking a more diverse vacation blending birding, wildlife,
photography and cultural activities with luxury game
lodges.
Red-and-yellow Barbet by Markus Lilje
These tours are also available as customized private departures
AFRICA // eastern
Rockjumper’s Kenya & Tanzania - Birds &
Big Game safaris are designed to maximize both
big game and birding experiences by selecting
the very best and most accessible destinations
of these two
fantastic African
nations. In Tanzania
we explore the floor of
the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, literally
teeming with mammals and birdlife, the
Our Kenya Mega Birding adventure provides 26 days
of non-stop birding! This tour typically produces an
astounding total of over 800 bird species, as well as an
amazing diversity of large mammals. Not only do we obtain
a huge list of mouth-watering species, but also Kenya’s
most sought-after rarities and endemics. We explore areas
that include Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Tsavo West and East,
the isolated Taita Hills, Lake Baringo, Kakamega and the
plains of the Masai Mara. This is simply the finest tour
available for those wanting a complete Kenyan birding
experience! This tour will be offered every second year and
alternated with our Tanzania Mega Birding Tour.
For a different Kenyan experience we have introduced
an exciting camping safari to our suite of tours. The
route will take us to Kenya’s essential birding sites, from
Lake Nakuru and Lake Baringo to Kakamega Forest and
the Masai Mara, where specials such as Gray-crested
Helmetshrike, Turner’s Eremomela, Jackson’s Hornbill
and Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat reside. This Budget
Kenya Birding tour also takes time to explore the
seldom-visited Kongolei Escarpment and Saiwa
Swamp National Park. This tour is the perfect
way to experience the wilds of Kenya at a
pocket-friendly rate.
Our Tanzania Mega Birding tour has been
specifically designed to target virtually all the
Tanzanian endemic bird species, including
such megas as Udzungwa Forest Partridge,
Lion by Elliott Neep
White Rhinoceros by Elliott Neep
Kenya, Tanzania & Rwanda
Mountain Gorilla by Adam Riley
Great Migration scene by Elliott Neep
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Dapplethroat and the endangered Uluguru Bushshrike.
This 26-day adventure begins on the idyllic island of
Pemba. Thereafter we launch our assault on the numerous
Eastern Arc Mountain endemics, taking us into the remote
reaches of the Udzungwa, Uluguru, Ukaguru and Usambara
Mountains, where a number of exceedingly range restricted
species are found. Our exploration continues with a visit to
the Kilombero Swamps for three newly discovered species,
before making our way into the dry Acacia woodlands and
game filled plains of northern Tanzania.
Ravaged by a terrible genocide, Rwanda has managed to
resurrect itself and is once again famous as one of the best
places on earth to view the critically endangered Mountain
Gorilla. Not only this, but within its small territorial limits
over 650 bird species have been recorded, offering the
enthusiast a wealth of avian delights in this short, yet
rewarding, exploration. Our Rwanda Extension: Gorillas
& Albertine Rift Endemics tour visits three core areas: the
eastern savannas of Akagera National Park, the bamboo clad
slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, and the seemingly endless
forests of Nyungwe National Park. Join us as we search
for the highly localized Red-faced Barbet and numerous
Albertine Rift Endemics, including Red-collared Babbler,
Purple-breasted Sunbird, Red-throated Alethe and Dusky
Crimsonwing – not to mention Mountain Gorillas!
Hartlaub's Turaco by Markus Lilje
15
AFRICA // eastern
Gelada by Adam Riley
Our new Ethiopia Budget Birding tour offers a wide array
of species and most of this ancient country’s endemics in
a convenient 13-day package. To boot, you’ll be exposed
to the kaleidoscope of cultures that grace this ancient land,
and all of these factors combine to ensure a fascinating
experience of not just the country’s birds, but also its
amazing mammals.
For our new Ethiopia Highlights tour, we have handpicked the prime birding destinations in central Ethiopia and
chosen only premier lodges. This trip offers brilliant birding
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse by Markus Lilje
16
and wildlife viewing for those with less time to spare and
the requirement for more comfortable accommodations.
This tour can be linked with both the Lalibela Historical
Extension and also our Northern Extension – Simiens
& Gondar. This latter extension explores the ancient city
of Gondar, famed for its spectacular and unique medieval
castles, and the awe-inspiring Simien Mountains National
Park, which holds the only population of the magnificent
Walia Ibex as well as a bounty of birds and huge troops of
Geladas, to name just some of the highlights.
Our Djibouti Extension is aimed at finding the endemic
and endangered Djibouti Francolin, along with a number of
other exciting species that are difficult to locate elsewhere.
These include Somali Starling, Somali Sparrow, the
beautiful Arabian Golden Sparrow, Sombre Rock Chat,
White-eyed Gull, Crab-plover, Arabian and Menetries’s
Warbler and Gambaga Flycatcher. This tour takes us to
one of Africa’s least visited destinations; which, along
with superb birding, spectacular scenery and diverse and
interesting cultures, makes this extension a must for the
intrepid birder.
We are extremely proud of our vast
wealth of experience in Uganda,
where we have successfully
arranged and guided more than 40
tours over the past fourteen years.
Our fantastic Uganda - Birds &
Gorillas tour visits Kibale, famed
for its primates, ranging from
minuscule galagos to Chimpanzees,
as well as being the best site for the
mythical Green-breasted Pitta. We
also marvel at the towering trees
of the fabled Royal Mile, and
five days are enjoyed in
Bwindi Impenetrable
Forest, home to
more than half the
world’s surviving
Mountain Gorillas.
Hamar girl in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley by Marius Coetzee
These tours are also available as customized private departures
E
thiopia’s many highlights include one of the highest
endemic bird counts on the African continent, a
remarkable mammalian assemblage, an ancient
Christian culture and remote tribes little influenced by the
modern world. This combination of unique features makes
for a thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating journey to one
of the world’s most exceptional countries. Rockjumper’s
comprehensive Ethiopian Endemics Birding tour loops
through central and southern Ethiopia as we seek out the
very best birding that this nation has to offer, including
targeting every possible endemic and near-endemic bird
on this route. Participants can expect to see over 500
species, including the fabled Ruspoli’s Turaco, beautiful
White-cheeked Turaco, strange Stresemann’s Bush Crow,
Rouget’s Rail, Harwood’s Francolin, Blue-winged Goose,
Spot-breasted Lapwing, remarkable Thick-billed Raven,
Yellow-fronted Parrot, Abyssinian Owl, the extremely
localized Salvadori’s Seedeater, rare Red-billed Pytilia,
Ethiopian Wolf and the unique Gelada! Our Lalibela
Historical Extension explores the astounding series of
12th century monolithic churches hewn out of solid rock,
and rightfully considered one of the wonders of the world!
The Omo Valley Extension is a cultural and birding
experience that will take us to one of the wildest and most
ethnically diverse places on Earth – the South Omo Valley,
home to more than fifty distinct tribes, each with their own
language, clothing, hairstyles and body ornamentation. Our
tour takes us through the very heart of this vast and varied
cultural melting pot, and promises to make an exciting and
memorable end to our Ethiopia birding experience!
Chimpanzees by David Hoddinott
Regal Sunbird by Adam Riley
Although the Gorilla trek can be strenuous, staring into the
eyes of one of these magnificent beasts from only a few
feet away is nothing short of a life-changing experience and
is rated by many as the greatest wildlife encounter on the
planet! In the drier country we visit the mighty Murchison
Falls where the Nile is forced through a tiny gap, forming
the most powerful water surge on Earth. A boat cruise
allows us to watch the birds and animals that throng the
Nile’s banks, and here we expect to find one of the world’s
most wanted birds, the bizarre Shoebill. Straddling the
Equator is the vast Queen Elizabeth NP, boasting impressive
crater-lake scenery, grasslands and forests, huge herds of
Elephant and Buffalo and predators including Lion and
Leopard. Over 530 species of birds and a diverse array of
mammals can be expected on this unbeatable tour. Further
potential avian highlights include Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle,
Nahan’s Francolin, the unique Grauer’s Broadbill, Great
Blue Turaco, Dusky and Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo, Black
Bee-eater, Chocolate-backed Kingfisher, Red-chested
Owlet, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Red-faced Barbet,
Lühder’s and Bocage’s Bushshrike, Papyrus Gonolek,
Red-throated Alethe, Neumann’s Warbler and Jameson’s
Antpecker. Our Budget Uganda Birding tour covers the
highlights of this diverse country, from opportunities to
track wild Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees, to seeking
out Shoebill and several rare Albertine Rift endemics and
other forest specialties. This 12-day tour offers an excellent
overview at a much-reduced price.
Grauer's Broadbill by David Hoddinott
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Uganda, Ethiopia & Djibouti
White-tailed Swallow by Rich Lindie
17
Bat Hawk by John Carlyon
These tours are also available as customized private departures
AFRICA // central
ngola’s first ever birding tour was a Rockjumper
departure in 2004, and we are proud to be one of
the few companies still offering this productive
birding country. Our tour is an “off-the-beaten-track”
camping expedition for those with a sense of adventure
and the willingness to journey where few birders have
previously ventured! Our overland safari begins in Lubango
in southern Angola, from where our convoy of safarikitted 4x4 vehicles will head to the Tundavala Escarpment,
offering some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa.
Concluding 19 days later in Luanda, we
will have covered
all the major
habitats and birding
sites of Angola - from the parched
Namib Desert to misty Afro-montane scarp forests,
rainforest and Miombo woodlands. As we seek out all of
Angola’s endemic and range-restricted birds our intrepid
group can expect to find many species seen by just a
handful of birders. Our previous Rockjumper tours each
recorded over 520 bird species, while at the same time
making a valuable contribution to the known distribution
ranges of some of the rarest and least known birds in
the world. Target species will include the unique Angola
Cave Chat, Cinderella Waxbill, mythical Swierstra’s and
Gray-striped Francolin, arguably Angola’s most beautiful
endemic - the Red-crested Turaco, Gabela Akalat, Pulitzer’s
Longbill, Monteiro’s, Braun’s and Gabela Bushshrike,
White-headed Robin-Chat by Jonathan Rossouw
18
Gabela Helmetshrike, Red-backed
remarkable White-headed Robin-
Mousebird and the
Chat.
of Gabon made
its national parks
thirteen, as more than
of pristine rainforest
conserve the incredible
this, the largest intact forest
African continent. Due to
population and vast rainforest
resources, Gabon is unique in
harboring significant numbers of
African rainforest mammals that
have either disappeared or are very
difficult to find elsewhere. Our tour
takes us
to Lope and Loango National Parks
where we
will seek herds of Forest Elephant and
Forest Buffalo, sounders of Red River Hogs and a plethora
of monkeys. Chances exist for Chimpanzee, Mandrill and
West African Manatee. The birding is also exceptional,
including such African megas as White-crested Tiger Heron,
Congo Serpent Eagle, Hartlaub’s Duck, Vermiculated
Fishing Owl, Plumed Guineafowl, Bates’s Nightjar, Whitebellied Kingfisher, Black-headed, Rosy and Black Beeeater, Black-casqued Hornbill, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide
and Black-collared Bulbul. Our Ivindo National Park
extension explores a remote rainforest reserve for several
The West African nation
headlines in 2002 when
rose from zero to
10,000 square miles
was protected to
faunal wealth of
bloc on the entire
its small
Red-crested Turaco by Markus Lilje
Lowland Gorilla by David Shackelford
African Finfoot by Hugh Chittenden
very rare and range-restricted species, including great flocks
of African River Martin, Sjöstedt’s Barred Owlet, Longtailed Hawk, Violet-backed Hyliota, Gosling’s Apalis and
Woodhouse’s Antpecker.
Our São Tomé & Príncipe extension will take us to these
remarkable yet seldom-visited tropical islands boasting no
less than 25 endemics! We will target all these specials,
amongst which are such sought-after birds as São Tomé Ibis,
the aberrant São Tomé Fiscal, Giant Sunbird, Giant Weaver,
São Tomé Shorttail and the unique São Tomé Grosbeak.
Black Bee-eater by David Hoddinott
Our tour to Republic of the Congo takes us to the fantastic
Odzala-Kokoua National Park, an Important Bird Area
hosting some of the continent’s rarest species. These
include such mouth-watering gems as Black Guineafowl,
Spot-breasted Ibis, Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill,
Bare-cheeked Trogon, Black-capped Apalis and Cassin’s
Malimbe. In addition, the reserve harbors high densities
of Western Lowland Gorilla, and our chances of close and
intimate encounters with these magnificent creatures are
almost guaranteed! Other mammals we may encounter
include Forest Elephant, Bongo and Red River Hog.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
São Tomé Prinia by Adam Riley
Black-capped Apalis by David Hoddinott
Angola, Gabon, SÃo TomÉ and PrÍncipe & Republic of Congo
Tundavala campsite in Angola by Markus Lilje
19
20
Oriole Warbler by David Hoddinott
These tours are also available as customized private departures
AFRICA // western
and Standard-winged Nightjars may even be found side
by side! To the far north the fabulous Waza National Park
is renowned as a superb arid-zone birding and mammalwatching destination. Names such as Bare-cheeked Trogon,
Vermiculated Fishing Owl, Mount Kupe Bushshrike,
Arabian Bustard, Quail-plover, White-throated Mountain
Babbler, Mount Cameroon Spierops, Shelley’s Oliveback,
Gray-headed Broadbill, Golden Nightjar and Cricket
Warbler should whet any birder’s appetite. Our Cameroon
tour will provide some of the most memorable birding
possible on the African continent and, as we thoroughly
cover this vast country, we hope to observe up to 600 bird
species along with a wealth of exciting African wildlife. Our
two-week Forests of Cameroon tour is a shorter offering
to our standard tour and visits only the core forest sites in
the south of the country, with a specific focus on seeking
some of the region’s rarest and least-known forest species,
including most of Cameroon’s endemic or near-endemic
birds.
D
ue largely to the poorly-developed infrastructure of
the region, Central and West Africa are amongst the
world’s least-visited tourism destinations. However,
at Rockjumper we pride ourselves in having operated
numerous highly successful tours to this biodiverse area.
If you are game for an adventure and want to experience
first-class birding and tropical Africa at its best, then we
thoroughly recommend our Cameroon and Ghana tours.
Cameroon harbors a wide range of habitats, from vast
lowland and montane forests (the latter on some of Africa’s
highest peaks), to extensive Sahelian semi-desert. In
the moist south we visit prime sites that include Mount
Cameroon, Campo Maán National Park, Mount Kupe,
Bakossi Mountains and the Bamenda Highlands, where we
seek out numerous endemics and both lowland and montane
forest specials. Campo Maán is famous for its colonies of
Gray-necked Rockfowl, and our chance of viewing these
strange birds is excellent! In central Cameroon we visit the
Adamawa Plateau and Benoue National Park, with areas
of mixed broad-leaved woodlands. This region teems with
incredible birds and here the spectacular Pennant-winged
Ghana offers core West African rainforest and savanna
birding, and the discovery of easily accessible White-necked
Rockfowl colonies has firmly established this as a “mustvisit” birding destination. Our Ghana Comprehensive
tour allows for a thorough exploration of the most exciting
West African birding habitats. From Guinea savanna to lush
rainforest, we will see much of what Ghana has to offer,
promising a truly impressive bird tally and a thoroughly
enjoyable experience. Our days in this wonderful country
will be spent ambling forested trails, scanning for canopy
species from a fabulous walkway, and exploring vast tracts
of deciduous woodland. Typical African families such
as turacos, sunbirds and greenbuls are particularly well
represented, yielding a colorful and interesting bounty of
species. Furthermore, we also have the opportunity to see
one of Africa’s most highly sought-after birds – the fabled
White-necked Rockfowl!
Our Ghana Mega Birding tour is specifically designed
to cover all the crucial sites in the country, offering a
fully comprehensive overview of Ghana’s spectacular
avifauna. Highlights we will seek include White-breasted
White-necked Rockfowl by Adam Riley
West African Wattle-eye by David Hoddinott
Blue-moustached Bee-eater by David Hoddinott
Gray-necked Rockfowl by Markus Lilje
For our Ghana Budget tour we have cherry-picked
the very best and most accessible birding sites of this
fantastic country and packaged this in a shorter and more
cost effective offering. This tour includes spending time
in pristine forest along the Kakum canopy walkway and
targets the White-necked Rockfowl and many of Ghana’s
most special species. Further highlights of this highly
recommended African adventure include a visit to Ghana’s
most notorious edifice, the Cape Coast Castle, which once
served as a major base for shipping slaves to the “New
World”. We will also seek various rainforest and savanna
mammals, including the beautiful Bongo and Mole National
Park’s healthy population of particularly well-habituated
African Elephants.
Finally, the Ghana Birds & Butterflies tour concentrates
on the southern Upper Guinea rainforests where over
800 species of butterfly can be found, along with most of
Ghana’s most sought-after birds. This tour includes the
rarely-visited Ankasa rainforest, affording us possibilities
for such megas as White breasted Guineafowl, Nkulengu
Rail, Spot-breasted Ibis and Akun Eagle-Owl, over and
above some of Africa’s most beautiful butterflies. Other
sites visited include Kakum National Park and a Whitenecked Rockfowl nesting site where we stand excellent
chances of viewing this mythical species.
Our Gambia & Senegal tour combines two of West
Africa’s finest birding destinations into a single,
comprehensive package. Encompassing three distinct
biomes - Sudan Savanna, Guinea Savanna and Forest
Savanna – both nations consequently harbor
an impressive array of birdlife, including
several Sahelian specialties that
are typically difficult to see
elsewhere. These resident birds
are complimented by numerous
overwintering European and North African
species, making for a very rewarding African
birding adventure! Some of the many tour targets
include Black Crowned Crane, Scissor-tailed
Kite, Adamawa Turtle Dove, Blue-bellied Roller, Cricket
Warbler, Pied-winged Swallow and Sudan Golden Sparrow,
with possibilities even for Savile’s Bustard and Egyptian
Plover. This tour makes for a perfect introduction to Africa’s
spectacular avifauna!
Black Crowned Crane by Markus Lilje
Guineafowl, Congo Serpent Eagle, Nkulengu Rail, Yellowfooted Honeyguide, Blue Cuckooshrike, Capuchin Babbler,
Nimba Flycatcher and numerous Upper Guinea endemics.
We will take time to enjoy the primary target of our tour,
the White-necked Rockfowl, and watching these bizarre
birds coming in to their roost is likely to be one of the
highlights of any birder’s adventures! Further north, Mole
National Park lies in a belt of broad-leaved Guinea
woodlands where we will seek the beautiful Oriole
Warbler, stunning Violet Turaco
and numerous kingfishers,
bee-eaters, rollers, sunbirds
and starlings; while in the
dry Sahelian savanna of the
seldom-visited far north of the
country we will look for some
really special species, including the
splendid Egyptian Plover and Standard-winged
Nightjar, one of the world’s most uniquely adorned birds!
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal & The Gambia
Egyptian Plover by Matthew Matthiessen
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AFRICA // indian ocean islands
These tours are also available as customized private departures
M
Rufous-headed Ground Roller by Markus Lilje
Panther Chameleon by Dale Morris
Our Masoala Extension takes us to this little-explored
and extremely beautiful part of the island, which protects
Madagascar’s last remaining extensive area of lowland
rainforest and harbors some very special and exotic birds
and mammals. Targets include the fabulous Helmet and
rare Bernier’s Vanga, Madagascar Serpent Eagle, Red Owl,
Brown Mesite and Red-breasted Coua, while mammalian
possibilities include the beautiful Red Ruffed Lemur and a
wealth of other exciting species.
Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity by James Wakelin
22
adagascar is the world’s fourth-largest island and
is often referred to as the “Eighth Continent”. Its
exceptional fauna and flora have evolved during
millions of years of isolation and of the 200 bird species
regularly recorded on the island, no fewer than 140 are
endemic or near endemic, including 5 endemic bird
families! However, the wonder of Madagascar extends
well beyond its avifauna; this “laboratory of evolution”
teems with unique wildlife including over 100 species of
amazing lemurs, colorful chameleons, outlandish insects
and fascinating flora. Rockjumper’s 3-week Madagascar
Comprehensive birding tour offers an all-encompassing
overview of this remarkable island. We visit key habitats,
ranging from the deciduous woodlands of the northwest,
to the Tolkienesque spiny forests of the south and the
rainforests blanketing the island’s eastern spine. Avian
highlights include the spectacular Schlegel’s Asity, Rufousheaded Ground Roller, Subdesert Mesite and Sickle-billed
Vanga. We also stand a chance of encountering up to
27 lemur species, including “dancing” sifakas and the
unforgettable singing of the Indri. Other highlights range
from strange tenrecs to cryptic leaf-tailed geckos and the
bizarre Giraffe-necked Weevil.
Madagascar’s Remote North - Pochard & Endangered
Endemics tour is an “off-the-beaten-track” birding
adventure in search of some of the world’s rarest birds. We
will visit isolated lakes holding the last population of the
recently rediscovered Madagascar Pochard and the lowland
rainforests of the Masoala Peninsula where the outrageous
Helmet Vanga occurs. Other targets include Sakalava Rail,
Madagascar Serpent Eagle, Red Owl and Slender-billed
Helmet Vanga by Keith Valentine
Flufftail. We now offer the chance of locating every
single Malagasy endemic with the introduction of our
brand new Tsingy Wood Rail Extension. This short
venture into a bizarre tsingy (razor-sharp limestone
karst) formation gives an excellent chance of finding
this new addition to the ever-growing Madagascar
bird list. This area is also famous for its lemurs, of
which the localized Decken’s Sifaka is the most
notable.
For our Madagascar Highlights tour we have
cherry-picked the very best of Madagascar
and are offering it as a shorter package. This
tour still produces all 5 endemic bird families,
plus an exciting selection of lemurs and
other representative wildlife. Our Budget
Madagascar Birding tour provides the birder
with a fantastic opportunity for observing the
highlights of the island’s birds and wildlife at a
much reduced cost.
Ring-tailed Lemur by Markus Lilje
Sprinkled on the tropical seas off East Africa are
a series of islands where paradise is defined and
we are very excited to be offering, once again,
the remarkable Indian Ocean Islands to our tour
portfolio. These tours are designed to maximize
our experiences of these idyllic isles by visiting
those with the richest birdlife and most
spectacular scenery, be it rugged, forest-clad
volcanic peaks or white beaches, fringed
by warm waters and teeming coral reefs.
Our, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Reunion
and Seychelles tour endeavors to find
as many of this region’s range-restricted
birds as possible. On Mauritius our
explorations take us to the dramatic
Black River Gorges National Park
where the final remnants of Mauritius’
rainforests are protected. Here we will
search for Mauritius Cuckooshrike,
the aberrant Mauritius Gray White-eye,
Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher and lovely Mauritius
Fody. We will also take a boat trip to search for
the rare Trindade Petrel and other tropical seabirds
while further Mauritian highlights are sure to
include Mauritius Kestrel, Pink Pigeon and Echo
Parakeet, all recently snatched back from the jaws
of extinction. A quick visit to Rodrigues will provide
four endemics before we jet off to French governed
Réunion, a rugged volcanic island, rich in land endemics
and some very special seabirds including Barau’s and
Mascarene Petrel. Here we will walk stunning forest
trails for Réunion Cuckooshrike, while open areas harbor
Réunion Stonechat and the recently split Réunion Harrier.
The granitic Seychelles are generally acknowledged as
being the most beautiful islands in the world. We will
explore a number of these isles to observe several of
the planet’s rarest birds as well as some of the greatest
tropical seabird colonies. Highlights include Crab-plover,
the fabulous all-black Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher,
Seychelles Scops Owl, Seychelles Magpie-Robin and
Seychelles Blue Pigeon. Seabird colonies that we visit
contain hundreds of thousands of nesting Sooty Terns,
lesser numbers of Bridled and Fairy Tern, Wedge-tailed
and Audubon’s Shearwater, Greater and Lesser
Frigatebird, Brown and Lesser Noddy and
more than 20,000 White-tailed Tropicbirds!
The Comoro Islands (or Comoros) is a small
archipelago of astoundingly beautiful islands
situated between Madagascar and Africa and,
while little-explored by birders, happens to
host a significantly high number of endemic
bird species. Our tour to this remote area
will attempt to locate as many of these as
possible and highlights could include four
endemic scops owls, Humblot’s Flycatcher
(placed in its own genus), Comoros
Cuckooshrike and Comoros Thrush.
In a nutshell, our Indian Ocean Islands
tour offers a relaxed exploration of these
paradise islands and is a perfect add-on to
our Madagascar tours for the ultimate Western
Indian Ocean Island experience.
Mauritius Fody by Dubi Shapiro
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius & Réunion
Pink Pigeon by Dave Chantler
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24
Houbara Bustard by David Hoddinott
F
ascinating Morocco, with its breathtaking scenery,
sumptuous food, complex history and fantastic
birding, has become a vital destination for serious
and casual birders alike. Walled Medieval medinas bustle
with activity, colorful tribespeople, snake charmers and
leather craftsmen throng the markets, and souks are filled
with stalls selling carpets and laden with exotic spices. Our
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara adventure begins in fabulous
Marrakech, but we soon find ourselves winding through
the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains. Woodland-cloaked
slopes and alpine areas support North African endemics
including Moussier’s Redstart, African Crimson-winged
Finch and Levaillant’s Woodpecker. After dropping down
dizzying mountain passes, we reach the coast at Agadir and
bird nearby lagoons and estuaries teeming with waterfowl,
waders and gulls. However, our main target is one of the
world’s most endangered birds, the Northern Bald Ibis or
Waldrapp; wild birds are now restricted to only two colonies
in Morocco and a single individual in Syria. A new addition
to our tour is a productive pelagic birding trip off Agadir and
an exciting array of oceanic birds may be expected. Moving
inland, the countryside gradually becomes drier until we
reach the spectacular red Erg Chebbi sand dunes, near the
Algerian border. Along the way we search for specials that
include the rare Houbara Bustard, dainty Cream-colored
GrayHypocolius by Mike Pope
Northern Bald Ibis by Adam Riley
These tours are also available as customized private departures
AFRICA // north & the middle east
Courser, Desert Sparrow, Streaked Scrub and African
Desert Warbler and numerous larks, including Temminck’s,
Maghreb, Thick-billed and Dupont’s. Our Budget Morocco
Birding tour is designed around the birding highlights of
southern Morocco and is an economical option for finding
Morocco’s most sought-after species.
Our Tunisia - Jewel of North Africa tour (which can be
linked with Morocco - Atlas to Sahara) takes us to several
spectacular sites, ranging from towering mountains, desert
oases and vast tidal saltpans, in search of a host of very
special resident and migratory birds. Some of the highlight
species we target are the endangered White-headed and
Marbled Duck, Yelkouan Shearwater, Bonelli’s Eagle,
Greater Hoopoe-Lark and Desert Sparrow. This tour also
offers the opportunity to observe some endangered North
African mammals, including the spectacular Addax,
Scimitar-horned Oryx, Dama and Dorcas Gazelle, the
kangaroo-like Jerboa, and the cute, hamster-like Gundi. In
addition, we take time to marvel at some of Tunisia’s many
archaeological treasures, and we will also visit several
world-famous sites including the Punic City of Carthage, the
Roman Empire’s 3rd largest Coliseum, and ancient Muslim
medinas. With comfortable accommodations, great food,
friendly people, impressive antiquities and abundant birds,
time spent in Tunisia could not be more pleasurable!
Our Canary Islands - Macaronesian Endemics tour
explores three of the archipelago’s islands in search of
the region’s six endemic and three near-endemic birds.
These include Laurel and Bolle’s Pigeon, Canary Island
Stonechat, Island Canary and the lovely Blue Chaffinch.
We stand a chance of finding a variety of seabirds as well
as dry country species including Houbara Bustard and
Cream-colored Courser. This promises to be a pleasant
week with comfortable hotels, excellent cuisine, stunning
scenery and a selection of island endemics. Our Cape
Verde - Island Endemics & Seabirds tour takes us to these
seldom-visited islands in search of several rare and endemic
species, including Cape Verde Swift, Raso Lark, Cape Verde
Warbler, Iago Sparrow and the Western Hemisphere’s only
Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Oman & UAE
Desert Sparrow by Ignacio Yúfera
Our 3-day extension to the Kingdom of Jordan includes a
full day exploration of Petra, the most astounding ancient
city left to the modern world. This capital of the Nabataeans’
housed an estimated 30,000 people, and many impressive
state buildings were hewn from the rose-red cliffs of the
Sharrah Mountains. This is without doubt the most “mustsee” site in the entire Middle East, while also providing
excellent birding, including chances for Sand Partridge,
Streaked Scrub Warbler, Palestine Sunbird, Sinai Rosefinch
Since the advent of tourism several thousand years ago
Egypt has been one of the world’s most desirable tourist
destinations, and marveling at Egypt’s many antiquities is
a major feature of our tour. With this in mind, we will visit
all the important sites and indulge ourselves in the region’s
essential experiences. This includes being dazzled by the
Sound-and-Light show at the giant Abu Simbel statues
close to the Sudanese border, strolling around the Sphinx
and Great Pyramids, visiting the Egyptian Museum housing
Tutankhamun’s spectacular treasures, the vast Temples of
Luxor and Karnak, and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings.
Furthermore, our tour is timed to coincide with the great
bird migration between Africa and Eurasia. Storks, raptors,
waders and passerines passing through make birding here
easy and enjoyable. Amongst others, we will be searching
for specialties that include Crowned Sandgrouse, Greater
Painted-snipe, Pharaoh Eagle-Owl, Greater Hoopoe-Lark,
Nile Valley and Palestine Sunbird, and the beautiful Sinai
Rosefinch. The easy birding and breathtaking antiquities,
further augmented by luxurious hotels, a 3-day Nile cruise
from Aswan to Luxor, incredible snorkeling and exciting
shopping opportunities – all combine to make this a
thoroughly enjoyable tour for both keen birders and nonbirding spouses alike. Our Petra Extension is also available
after our Egypt tour.
African Crimson-winged Finch by Ignacio Yúfera
Crab-plover by Glen Valentine
of course, to enjoy the hospitable culture of this unique and
unforgettable setting.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Few places are more exemplary of advancement and
hospitality in the Arab World than the mountainous
Sultanate of Oman and neighboring United Arab
Emirates. Our tour begins at the coastal, otherworldly
hub of Dubai, from where we will work our way inland
across red sands to the Indian Ocean coast of Oman. We
then head south to the wintering grounds of millions of
shorebirds at Barr al Hikkman, before turning inland
traversing the “Empty Quarter” and finally ending our
adventure in the Dhofar Mountains and the humid coastal
plains of Salalah. This tour seeks many of the finest birds of
Arabia, and some of the expected highlights include Persian
Shearwater, Jouanin’s Petrel, Caspian Plover, Sociable
Lapwing, Great Knot, Sand and Arabian Partridge, more
than 20 species of raptors, Pallid Scops, Hume’s Tawny
and the recently discovered Omani Owl, South Arabian,
Red-tailed and Hume’s Wheatear, and three sought-after
species each belonging to a monotypic family: Crab-plover,
Gray Hypocolius and Streaked Scrub Warbler. To boot,
this tour seems to always produce several amazing avian
discoveries and is conducted at a relaxed pace, granting us
plenty of time to familiarize ourselves with the birds and,
and Syrian Serin.
Great Pyramid and Sphinx by Markus Lilje
Magnificent Frigatebirds. We will also seek other birds that
have been proposed for full species status such as Bourne’s
Heron, Boyd’s Shearwater and both Alexander’s and
Neglected Kestrel.
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Europe //
Spain, Austria,
T
These tours are also available as customized private departures
he main attraction of our Bulgaria & Romania in
Winter tour are the approximately 50,000 Redbreasted Geese, in fact almost the entire world
population of this Endangered species, that over-winter
on the Black Sea coast of these two nations. We will be
assured of superb views of great flocks of these incredibly
beautiful waterfowl amongst thousands of other wild geese.
We will also explore forests, mountains, steppes and cliffs
for other key targets including Dalmatian Pelican, Whiteheaded Duck, stunning Smew, Eastern Imperial Eagle,
Eurasian Bittern, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, no less than eight
woodpeckers including Syrian, Black and White-backed,
Bearded Reedling, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Western Rock
Nuthatch and if we are fortunate, Lesser White-fronted
Goose and Wallcreeper. This is a highly recommended tour
offering prime European winter birding and opportunities
for numerous highly sought-after species.
Our Central & Eastern Europe tour will explore prime
birding areas in Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia
and Hungary. Targets include displaying Great Bustard
(surely one of the most impressive birding spectacles!),
the fabulous Eastern Imperial Eagle, Saker Falcon, Little
Crake, numerous woodpeckers and River Warbler. Though
birding is our prime focus, we won’t neglect the abundant
cultural and historical sites that we encounter. Indeed, this is
a region steeped in history, both ancient and recent. We stay
in small guesthouses at great birding locations throughout
this tour, and food will always consist of hearty local cuisine
accompanied by excellent regional wines.
Wallcreeper by Markus Lilje
Spain has long been an extremely popular birding
destination, offering a wide range of Mediterranean habitats
along with safe, easy and excellent birding. Many sites are
found in beautifully scenic settings, featuring Romanesque
architecture and ancient, fortified hilltop villages; whilst
much of the interior of Spain that we visit is rural and
way off the tourist trail. Our comprehensive itinerary
concentrates on three distinct habitats: the semi-arid steppes
and cork-oak dehesas of the interior, the scenic Sierras
and Pyrenees, and the Ebro River Delta wetlands on the
Mediterranean coast. During the spring, Spain’s many
Male Ruff during display by Jari Peltomäki
26
Red-breasted Goose by Mladen Vasilev
The Scandinavian countries of Finland and Sweden offer
unbeatable temperate zone birding, spectacular scenery,
villages steeped in history and welcoming people. Our
Birding Finland & Sweden tour is timed for the prime
spring period and encompasses a wide variety of habitats,
so we can expect to notch up most of the region’s important
species. In Sweden we visit lowlands, the vast forested
montane zones and the migration hotspot island of Öland in
the Baltic Sea, and in Finland we concentrate on the Oulu
and Kuusamo region. Targets include the stunning Smew,
magnificent White-tailed Eagle, Red Kite, Gyrfalcon,
Hazel and Black Grouse, the giant Western Capercaillie,
Corn Crake, frilled Ruff, Eurasian Dotterel, Great Gray,
Great Gray Owl by Jari Peltomäki
a beautiful backdrop there is also the country itself, with its
abundant volcanoes, lava fields, glaciers, spouting geysers,
mud pools, dramatic coasts and black sand beaches making
for spectacular and other-worldly scenery at every turn!
Ural, Boreal, Eurasian Eagle and Eurasian Pygmy Owl,
Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Ring Ouzel, Siberian
Jay, Gray-headed Chickadee, Red-flanked Bluetail and
the tiny Eurasian Penduline Tit. In addition, photographic
opportunities are excellent on these tours.
Lying far out into the North Atlantic Ocean, the volcanic
island of Iceland is situated between two continents; a
land of fire and ice with an ancient Viking heritage. While
Iceland doesn’t have a long list of breeding birds, those
that do occur are in many cases abundant, with globally
important populations of waders, wildfowl and seabirds.
In fact, its towering cliffs are among the largest seabird
colonies on the planet, while the numerous lakes and
wetlands teem with an array of divers, ducks and waders.
Targets on our Birding Iceland tour include Gyrfalcon,
White-tailed Eagle, Barrow’s Goldeneye, King Eider,
Eurasian Woodcock, Harlequin Duck and Iceland Gull. As
Our Georgia & Armenia tour explores Europe’s highest
mountain range, the Caucasus in Georgia, as well as
the neighboring Transcaucasus in Armenia, located
along the border of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia.
Showcasing a diverse array of habitats including wooded
gorges, arid semi-deserts and valleys and plains bedecked
with wildflowers, orchids and vineyards, our tour targets
include the region’s endemics - Caucasian Snowcock and
Great (Caucasian) Rosefinch, along with a superb array of
Palearctic specialties amidst some of the most spectacular
mountain scenery on earth! Other target species include
Caspian Snowcock, Caucasian Grouse, Velvet Scoter, a wide
array of raptors from Bearded Vulture to amazing numbers
of migrant species, Armenian Gull, Wallcreeper, Mountain
Chiffchaff (sometimes split as Caucasian Chiffchaff),
Güldenstädt’s Redstart, the lovely White-throated Robin,
Finsch’s Wheatear, White-winged Snowfinch and Redfronted Serin.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
breeding birds are joined by passage migrants, and some
of the fabulous species we target include Lammergeier,
Spanish Imperial Eagle (up to 23 raptor species are
possible!), Great and Little Bustard, Pin-tailed and Blackbellied Sandgrouse, Alpine Accentor, White-throated Dipper
and the fabulous Wallcreeper. We travel in comfortable
vehicles, the cuisine is delicious and our accommodations
are mostly family-run establishments nestled in charming
villages.
Atlantic Puffin by Elliott Neep
Willow Ptarmigan by Jari Peltomäki
Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Georgia, Armenia, Finland, Sweden & Iceland
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C
hina is a vast country requiring multiple birding
trips at various times of year to find the region’s
many special and spectacular species. As a first
taste of China, we recommend our Tibetan Plateau
& Beidaihe tour which explores two of China’s most
diverse and rewarding birding areas – in the west, the
scenically spectacular Tibetan Plateau; and in the far east,
prime coastal sites for migrants. Commencing in Qinghai
Province, we bird one of China’s most pristine and
remote regions for targets including Blue Eared Pheasant,
Black-necked Crane, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Tibetan
and Himalayan Snowcock, Henderson’s Ground Jay,
Wallcreeper, Przevalski’s Redstart, numerous snowfinches
and rosefinches and Przevalski’s Finch (now placed in its
own monotypic family). Timed for the migration peak along
China’s eastern coast, we experience an incredible gathering
of eastern Palearctic birds at Beidaihe and Happy Island.
Our tour wraps up after marveling at the breathtaking
Great Wall of China. Fascinating cultures, dramatic and
Tibetan Wild Ass by David Shackelford
Black-necked Cranes by Dubi Shapiro
These tours are also available as customized private departures
Asia // central & eastern
breathtaking landscapes, plus a bounty of exceptional
birds all make this tour one of the most rewarding birding
experiences that Asia has to offer! Our exciting Lhasa
Extension takes us to Tibet itself, one of the most mythical
places on our planet. As we explore this previously offlimits, ancient city and its surrounds, we will target Tibetan
Eared Pheasant, Giant Babax, Tibetan Partridge, Lord
Derby’s Parakeet, Ibisbill and other exciting species.
Our China in Winter tour concentrates on the south east of
this huge nation and offers a rich kaleidoscope of impressive
and localized bird specialties, including several of the
world’s most spectacular cranes. Foremost among these is
the elegant Siberian Crane, one of the rarest birds on Earth.
We will also explore the mountainous region of Fujian
for one of Asia’s most sought-after pheasants – Cabot’s
Tragopan. An impressive supporting cast of other exciting
possibilities includes the critically endangered Spoonbilled Sandpiper, rare Scaly-sided Merganser, thousands of
Swan Geese, Falcated Duck, Baikal Teal, Oriental Stork,
Saunders’s Gull, Reed Parrotbill, Pied Falconet, Elliot’s
Pheasant and possibly even Swinhoe’s Crake.
Our Sichuan Birding tour explores a variety of habitats
from alpine meadows to evergreen and temperate forests,
grassland and snow-capped peaks. Pheasants are of
particular focus and we will seek an astonishing ten
species, including White Eared, Golden, Mrs. Hume’s
and Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Temminck’s Tragopan and
Chinese Monal. The supporting cast includes Verreaux’s
Monal Partridge, Pere David’s Owl, Black-necked Crane,
Emei Shan Liochicla, Golden and the rare Rusty-throated
Parrotbill and stunning Grandala. Our Yunnan Extension
takes us to Yunnan Province, boasting over 770 bird
species, including 39 endemics! Birding highlights may
include Yunnan Nuthatch, Giant and White-speckled
Laughingthrush, Chinese Babax and the highly localized
Rufous-headed Robin. Yunnan also shares a number of
quality forest species with bordering Myanmar and Vietnam
including Fire-tailed Myzornis, Yellow-throated Fulvetta,
Ward’s Trogon and Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler.
Golden Parrotbill by Dubi Shapiro
Oriental Plover by David Erterius
White-browed Tit-warbler by Dubi Shapiro
Taiwan is blessed with a rich avifauna comprising 30
endemics, numerous sought-after resident species and
abundant migrants of the East-Asian Flyway. Our Best of
Taiwan tour focuses on the endemics and other East Asian
specialties in the nation’s largely pristine forests. Targets
include Fairy Pitta, Taiwan Blue Magpie, Swinhoe’s and
Mikado Pheasant, Taiwan Partridge, Mandarin Duck, Blackfaced Spoonbill, Taiwan Whistling Thrush, Taiwan Hwamei,
Steere’s Liocichla, Flamecrest – and many more. We will
also enjoy the numerous other aspects of Taiwan’s natural
biodiversity and fascinating, friendly culture, all of which
combine to make for a thoroughly enjoyable tour!
is Mongolia, the world’s most sparsely populated nation,
a country of fascinating legend and history; little-changed
over the years and the heart of the once vast Mongol
Empire. Our Mongolia birding escapade offers the very
special opportunity of venturing across the lake-covered
steppes and through the great Taiga forests. We can look
forward to superb birding in this gloriously scenic landscape
with mouth-watering specialties such as Altai Snowcock,
Black-billed Capercaillie, White-naped Crane, Asian
Dowitcher, Relict Gull, Wallcreeper, Kozlov’s Accentor,
Oriental Plover, White-throated (Hodgson’s) Bush Chat
and Henderson’s Ground Jay, to name just a few. This is a
tour like few others and promises to be a most memorable
birding, wildlife and cultural adventure!
Kazakhstan extends from the Caspian Sea in the west to
the Tien Shan Mountains in the east, an area larger than
Western Europe and of immense interest to serious birders.
Our comprehensive and highly recommended tour covers
all major sections of the country covering woodlands, the
Taukum Desert, endless steppes and the dramatic Tien
Shan Mountains. Targets include Black Grouse, displaying
McQueen’s Bustards, the elegant Demoiselle Crane,
endangered Sociable Lapwing, Ibisbill, Pallas’s Sandgrouse,
White-winged and the mythical Black Lark the striking
Azure Tit, Güldenstädt’s and Eversmann’s Redstart and
Saxaul Sparrow. Neighboring Uzbekistan has a more arid
climate and desert flatlands cover most of the territory, but
to the east lie the foothills of the Tien Shan Mountains. We
explore the Kyzyl-Kum Desert in search of Pander’s Ground
Jay and other special birds that we target on our Uzbekistan
- Deserts & Mountains Extension include Eastern Imperial
Eagle, Eastern Rock Nuthatch, White-throated Robin and
Asian Desert Warbler. Our adventure concludes with a
cultural tour of Samarkand’s traditional highlights.
In the heart of remote Central Asia lies a country that
conjures up images of nomadic horsemen riding across
wind-swept plains with the grand Altai Mountains rising
up above the endless expanse of the Gobi Desert. This land
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
K azakhstan, Uzbekistan, China & Mongolia
Lady Amherst's Pheasant by Dubi Shapiro
29
Asia // southern
These tours are also available as customized private departures
H
Beautiful Nuthatch by Markus Lilje
Ibisbill by Adam Riley
Black-and-orange Flycatcher by Markus Lilje
30
ome to over 1.2 billion people and reflecting the
world’s richest cultural kaleidoscope, India is also
justifiably famous for its abundant avifauna and
charismatic mammalian megafauna. Our Northern India
- Birds & Tigers circuit is doubtlessly one of the world’s
classic “must-do” tours! We begin with astonishingly
productive birding on the outskirts of bustling Delhi, before
relocating to Ranthambore where we seek unforgettable
encounters with the majestic Bengal Tiger, as well as
numerous dry woodland birds and mammals. Next we head
to the world-famous waterbird sanctuary of Bharatpur,
taking rickshaw rides around wetlands teeming with
waterfowl, storks, cranes, raptors and migrant passerines.
After marveling at the world's greatest monument to love the incomparable Taj Mahal - we take in a boat trip on the
Chambal River, one of the last strongholds of the Gangetic
Dolphin, Gharial and Indian Skimmer. Moving northwards
we head to the Himalayas to explore Corbett Tiger Reserve,
where, in addition to the big cats we shall look for Indian
Elephant, and the quaint hill stations of Nainital and Sattal,
before returning once again to Delhi. Birding highlights
include Sarus Crane, Koklass and Cheer Pheasant, Ibisbill
and Wallcreeper with up to 400 species expected.
Our exciting North Eastern India - Eagle’s Nest &
Beyond tour explores the plains and montane forests of this
remote but rewarding corner of India. We bird from boat
on the Brahmaputra, searching for Gangetic Dolphins and
grassland specialties including Black-breasted Parrotbill and
Marsh Babbler; from elephant-back and jeep in Kaziranga
for such gems as Bengal Florican, Greater Adjutant, Swamp
Francolin and significant populations of Greater One-horned
Rhinoceros and Asiatic Elephant, plus a chance for Bengal
Tiger. In Nameri National Park, targets include Ibisbill, Pied
Falconet and the rare White-winged Duck. After birding
the Sangti Valley, we spend thrilling days exploring the
fabulous Eagle’s Nest area. From lush lowland evergreen
forests to breathtaking passes at 14,500ft we will seek out
Himalayan Monal, Temminck’s Tragopan, Blood Pheasant,
Snow Partridge, Ward’s Trogon, Fire-tailed Myzornis,
Beautiful Nuthatch, Fire-tailed Sunbird and the recently
discovered Bugun Liocichla.
Bengal Tiger and cub by Elliott Neep
Sri Lanka Blue Magpie by Markus Lilje
Southern India is widely recognized as one of the most
important endemic bird areas in Asia, and our tour to this
productive birding region produces not only an amazing
number of endemics, but also spectacular scenery as we
wind our way through the Western Ghats
mountain range. Birding highlights
include Malabar Whistling
Thrush, Indian Pitta, Blackand-orange Flycatcher, Malabar
Trogon and White-bellied
Treepie. Furthermore, excellent
mammal opportunities exist
for Dhole and Gaur, amongst
many others. This tour is
offered in conjunction with
our Sri Lanka - Endemic Birds
& Big Game tour. This small,
friendly island nation provides
one of the most enjoyable and
rewarding birding tours imaginable.
With plenty of endemics, most of
which are extremely easy to locate,
comfortable lodges and an abundance
of wildlife, it makes perfect sense that
Sri Lanka has become such a popular
birding destination. Our tour targets all
34 endemics and other wildlife highlights
of the island, including the vibrant Sri Lanka
Blue Magpie, lovely Kashmir Flycatcher, Red-faced
Malkoha, Pied Thrush, recently described Serendib Scops
Owl, Leopard, Asian Elephant and Sloth Bear.
Our Western India – Desert Specialties tour showcases
India’s little-explored desert habitats and associated species
in the country’s dry western parts. Desert National Park,
Velavadar National Park (home to the stunning Blackbuck),
Sassan-Gir National Park (famous for preserving the final
relict population of Asiatic Lions) and the Gulf of Kutch
will all be visited in our off-the-beaten-track exploration
of this neglected corner of this vast nation. Avian targets
include Gray Hypocolius, Great Indian and Macqueen’s
Bustard, Lesser Florican, thousands of overwintering
Demoiselle Cranes, Sociable Lapwing, Crab-plover, Indian
Courser, Jungle and Rock Bush Quail, Painted Sandgrouse,
Sykes’s Nightjar, White-naped Tit and Marshall’s Iora.
The Maldives, composed entirely of coral atolls, is the
tropical picture postcard of your dreams! Our cruise here
can expect some of the finest cetacean viewing on Earth
with an astounding 18 species recorded on previous cruises.
While tropicbirds sail overhead, we will scan the waters
for such delights as Spinner, Striped, Rough-toothed and
Risso’s Dolphins, Longman’s Beaked Whale and even Blue
Whale, the largest animal ever to have graced our planet!
This wealth of cetaceans is complemented by tropical
pelagic birds, and we will spend our days on the deck
scanning for Black-naped, White-cheeked and Bridled Tern,
Tropical Shearwater and Lesser Frigatebird, to name a few.
Taj Mahal by Markus Lilje
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
India, Sri Lanka & the MAldives
Indian Peafowl by Adam Riley
31
AsiA // southern & south eastern
These tours are also available as customized private departures
T
hanks to a small population embracing their Buddhist
traditions, Bhutan has avoided the environmental
ravages that have left most neighboring Himalayan
forests sadly degraded. Here majestic mountain passes
littered with prayer flags give way to pristine forests, often
dominated by massive dzongs (temple-fortresses), and we
will have an opportunity to view up-close the impressive
artwork that adorns these structures as well as interact with
the devout Bhutanese people. Traveling across the breadth
of this remarkable country we will pass through lush
broad-leaved forests dripping with orchids, blazes of spring
rhododendrons and magnolias, and seemingly endless
coniferous forests. Our tour includes comfortable camping,
often at breathtakingly beautiful sites, where our needs are
catered to by a team of helpful camp assistants. Much of our
birding is done whilst walking the most productive sections
of the only road winding its way across the Kingdom.
Targets include the stunning Satyr Tragopan, incredible
Himalayan Monal, Blood Pheasant, Ibisbill, White-bellied
Heron, Rufous-necked Hornbill, Ward’s Trogon, Fire-tailed
Myzornis, Beautiful Nuthatch and an astounding selection
of parrotbills and wren-babblers (including Spotted
Elachura, previously Spotted Wren-Babbler, which has
recently become a monotypic bird family.) Join us on an
adventure through a paradise of culture, birds and scenic
vistas, as we explore the heavenly riches of Bhutan!
Satyr Tragopan by Markus Lilje
Golden-breasted Fulvetta by Markus Lilje
32
Our new Budget Bhutan Birding tour is a shorter and
more cost effective offering compared to our standard tour,
yet nevertheless still showcases most of what this amazing
country has to offer, including the bulk of Bhutan’s most
beautiful and sought-after birds. In addition, we’ll be among
the very first foreign birders to explore Bomdeling Wildlife
Sanctuary, refuge for about 150 overwintering Black-necked
Cranes and scores of other great Himalayan species, making
this a true venture of discovery!
Our Assam - Kaziranga & Nameri Birding & Big Game
Extension showcases these two productive Indian parks.
Vast swathes of swamp, grassland and forest support an
abundance of large mammals, unrivaled anywhere else in
Eurasia. The prehistoric Greater One-horned Rhinoceros
Himalayan Monal by Markus Lilje
Spotted Laughingthrush by David Shackelford
Fire-tailed Myzornis by Markus Lilje
Babbler. Next we move to the mountains of central Burma
in southern Shan State to explore the broad-leaved forests
around Kalaw for Burmese Yuhina and a mouth-watering
selection of other hill forest birds. Lastly, we will visit
Inle Lake for the highly localized Jerdon’s Bush Chat and
endemic Collared Myna, amongst a wealth of interesting
wetland species. At the cutting edge, our Gurney’s Pitta
extension aims to locate one of the world’s rarest and most
beautiful birds at a little explored tropical location teeming
with other exciting rainforest species.
Nepal is a land of unparalleled scenic beauty located within
one of the most geographically diverse areas on earth.
Draped along the greatest heights of the Himalayas between
China and India, it has retained its essentially agrarian
and medieval character, while its wondrous history and
geography are still the defining aspects of everyday life.
will be encountered in astounding numbers, while large
numbers of Water Buffalo, Asian Elephant, Swamp and Hog
Deer can also be viewed, along with a chance for the mighty
Bengal Tiger. Our birding targets are numerous and include
the rare White-winged Duck, Bengal Florican, Greater
Adjutant, Swamp Francolin and Blue-naped Pitta.
Myanmar (Burma), sandwiched between Thailand and
India, remains a poorly-known birding destination, due
in part to the difficulty in obtaining permits for visiting
the prime birding localities. However, our Myanmar
- Endemics of Remote Asia tour explores these seldomvisited birding hotspots! Starting from Yangon we journey
to the Irrawaddy plains, holding not only important
populations of declining waterbirds but also four endemic
species, including the striking Hooded Treepie. Here we
will also marvel at the more than 2,000 temples and pagodas
around Bagan. Moving onwards to our prime destination,
we spend quality time in the mixed Oak, Rhododendron and
bamboo forests of Mount Victoria in the Chin Hills. This
section of the Eastern Himalayas is an endemic-rich bird
region sustaining several species only seen by a handful of
intrepid birders, including White-browed Nuthatch, Mount
Victoria Babax, Burmese Bushtit and Chin Hills Wren-
Our Nepal tour not only offers an exciting opportunity to
search for some very special Himalayan species, but also
a rare chance to take a step back in time amidst a vivid
kaleidoscope of picturesque landscapes, heavenly highaltitude meadows and magnificent mountains. Nepal is also
blessed with a surprisingly wide array of habitats, which
in turn host an incredible 850 bird species (the highest
bird list of any Asian country of similar size), including
vast numbers of over-wintering northern Asian species.
Some of our mouthwatering targets include Nepal’s only
endemic bird, Spiny Babbler, the globally threatened Bengal
Florican, Ibisbill, Slender-billed Babbler, Nepal Fulvetta,
rare Gray-crowned Prinia and Indian Grassbird, amidst a
host of other babblers, scimitar babblers, laughingthrushes,
fulvettas, warblers and much besides. Wildlife opportunities
include Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Bengal Tiger and
the bizarre Gharial.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Nepal, Bhutan & Myanmar
Viewing Greater One-horned Rhinoceros from elephant back by David Shackelford
33
34
T
hailand is the quintessential birding destination of
South East Asia, showcasing habitats from mountain
peaks draped with Rhododendron forests to dense
tropical lowlands resounding with bird and gibbon song.
Thailand’s treasures also extend beyond the natural world
into the cultural realm, and spectacular pagodas and temples
adorn this tropical nation. Our Northern & Central
Thailand - Asian Birding at its Best tour provides a
detailed overview of the major sites of the country. Setting
out from Bangkok, we explore the forested hillsides of Khao
Yai National Park, where we will be overwhelmed by the
vast array of broadbills, hornbills, babblers and barbets.
After scanning the mudflats of Samuth Sakhon for migrant
waders, including the critically endangered Spoon-billed
Sandpiper, we continue to Kaeng Krachan. This park offers
unbroken rainforest scenery and supports one of the richest
bird lists in South East Asia. We then fly north to Chang
Mai to bird the montane forests of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s
highest mountain and most famous birding site. Here a
Proboscis Monkey by Colin Valentine
Bornean Bristlehead by Robert Chong
These tours are also available as customized private departures
AsiA // south eastern
collection of uniquely Asian groups, such as ioras, barwings,
mesias, minlas, sibias and niltavas, will dazzle us! Moving
east we bird the mountains of Doi Angkhang on the border
of Myanmar, where we will continue finding representatives
of unique families, including parrotbills, liocichlas,
finchbills and stunning minivets. Other sites visited include
Sab Sadou, Thaton and Doi Lang. Our tour is designed to
take advantage of the incredible influx of migrants from
the north, complimented by a brilliant cast of Asian bird
species. Tour highlights may include the magnificent Green
Peafowl, Siamese Fireback, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo,
Silver-breasted Broadbill and Blue Pitta.
wintering Chinese Egret and Nordmann’s Greenshank. The
fragmented lowland forests of Khao Nor Chuchi still offer
a splendid variety of fabulous species that include Malayan
Banded Pitta, Banded Kingfisher, Green Broadbill and Redbearded Bee-eater, while the nocturnal birding opportunities
are among the best in the entire region. Rare and soughtafter owls, nightjars and frogmouths that are frequently
seen include Oriental Bay, Barred Eagle- and Spotted Wood
Owl, the incredible Large Eared Nightjar, and Gould’s and
Blyth’s Frogmouth. We also venture to the idyllic Similan
Islands for the outlandish Nicobar Pigeon and stunning
snorkeling opportunities.
Our Southern Thailand Extension takes us to remnant
lowland forests of the Malay Peninsula that support some of
the world’s most desired and endangered birds. We begin by
exploring the nearby mangroves of Krabi by boat, searching
for such specialties as Mangrove Pitta, Brown-winged
Kingfisher and Mangrove Whistler, while mudflats support
Malaysia is a modern Asian country offering first-class
facilities within its extensive network of parks and
reserves. Our Malaysia & Borneo - Rainforest Birds &
Mammals tour visits some of the world’s most famous
birding sites, including Fraser’s Hill, venue of the legendary
annual Bird Race, the grand Taman Negara National Park,
Danum Valley, which protects the largest pristine lowland
rainforests in South East Asia, the Kinabatangan River
and fabled Mt. Kinabalu. A rich mix of typical tropical
Asian birds, peninsular Malaysian specialties and Bornean
endemics combine to create a truly fantastic birding
adventure. We can expect to see several species of fabulous
pittas, trogons, kingfishers, woodpeckers, broadbills,
leafbirds, ioras, pheasants, babblers and bulbuls, as well as a
broad range of exciting mammals, including Orangutan and
the peculiar Proboscis Monkey. We will bird along forest
trails, boardwalks through mangrove forests, rainforest
canopy walkways, and even from boats as we cruise along
jungle rivers. Highlights might include the magnificent
Great Argus displaying at close quarters, Crested Fireback,
Crimson-headed Partridge, Whitehead’s Trogon and
Whitehead’s Broadbill, Rhinoceros and Helmeted Hornbill,
Great Slaty Woodpecker, strange Bornean Bristlehead and
the eye-searingly bright Malayan Banded, Bornean Banded,
Blue-headed and Garnet Pitta!
Whitehead's Trogon by Rainer Summers
Oriental Bay Owl by Rainer Summers
Our Budget Borneo Birding tour has been designed to
provide prime Bornean birding and wildlife viewing at
an economical price and for those with less time to spare
in the field. Our Borneo - Island of Pittas, Broadbills
& Orangutan tour offers an in-depth exploration of
the wonders of this extraordinary island, with our focus
primarily trained on the region’s endemic birds and
mammals. We will seek out Blue-banded Pitta, Hose’s
Broadbill, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter in particular, while
also standing a chance for the elusive Clouded Leopard and
many other spectacular animals. Our exciting Borneo Black Oriole & Dulit Frogmouth Extension takes us into
Sarawak province, where we will venture into some remote
mountain forest zones in search of two of the island’s
least-known and most seldom-seen endemics. Both the
Black Oriole and Dulit Frogmouth are quite simply among
the most mythical birds to have ever been discovered on
the island, and we are therefore very excited to offer the
fantastic opportunity of seeking these incredible rarities!
This extension can be linked with both our Malaysia &
Borneo - Rainforest Birds & Mammals and our Borneo Island of Pittas, Broadbills & Orangutan tours.
Malayan Banded Pitta by Boonchuay Promjiam
Spoon-billed Sandpiper by Niels Poul Dreyer
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Thailand, Malaysia & Borneo
Malayan Tapir by Rich Lindie
35
AsiA // south eastern & north eastern
These tours are also available as customized private departures
C
Azure-breasted Pitta by Dubi Shapiro
Philippine Frogmouth by Rich Lindie
36
omposed of 7,107 islands strewn across a vast stretch
of tropical sea, The Philippines occupy the unenviable
position of harboring the most birds facing imminent
extinction. Many of these critically endangered and
spectacular species survive only in increasingly shrinking
remnants of habitat. Our Endangered Endemics tour
explores The Philippines’ three largest islands and we can
expect to encounter up to 150 endemic birds and many
other magnificent migrants and residents. On Luzon we
visit sites for Stripe-headed Rhabdornis, Scale-feathered
Malkoha, the sensational Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove and
recently discovered Chocolate Boobook. Palawan’s white
sandy beaches, extensive coral reefs and an underground
river make a spectacular backdrop for a number of specials
including the mound-building Philippine Megapode,
Red-bellied Pitta, the incredibly beautiful Blue Paradise
Flycatcher and glittering Palawan Peacock-Pheasant.
Mindanao hosts the largest tracts of remaining lowland
forest and here we search for the elusive Wattled Broadbill,
Azure-breasted Pitta and Philippine Trogon. The forested
slopes of Mt. Kitanglad are the most reliable site for the
regal Philippine (Monkey-eating) Eagle; this giant raptor
is often rated as the world’s single-most desirable bird!
Here we will also search for a recently discovered species,
Bukidnon Woodcock, as well as Apo Myna and Giant Scops
Owl. Our Visayan Islands Extension takes in the smaller
islands of Cebu, Bohol and Negros, where we target some
highly sought-after birds, including the critically endangered
Cebu Flowerpecker, Flame-templed Babbler and Visayan
Angkor Wat Temple by David Shackelford
Broadbill. This extension also provides chances for the
strange Philippine Colugo and Philippine Tarsier, while
the Chocolate Hills scenery is simply spell-binding! Our
Philippines Highlights tour covers the very best birding
sites for those with less time to spend in the field, but still
wishing for a fantastic overview of the region’s special
species.
Our Japan – Winter Birding tour explores the main
islands of Honshu, Hokkaido and Kyushu where some
of the world’s most amazing and desirable birds can be
found, whilst simultaneously enjoying the wonderfully
diverse scenery and fine local cuisine. On Honshu we will
search for an array of specialties, including the stunning
endemic Copper and Green Pheasant, Japanese Green
Woodpecker, Japanese Accentor and dainty Japanese
Waxwing. We will also spend time with endearing families
of Japanese Macaques, better known as Snow Monkeys,
at their hotspring hangouts. Hokkaido, to the far north of
Japan’s long chain of islands, will open the curtain to a
wonderland of snow, frozen lakes and pine forests. This
is the land of the Red-crowned Crane, which dances these
snowfields with grace and elegance. White-tailed Eagle and
the world’s largest eagle, Steller’s Sea Eagle, cavort on the
icy coastline, while vast numbers of sea-dwelling ducks
and gulls join loons and alcids in the frigid Pacific Ocean.
Another star bird here is the magnificent Blakiston’s Fish
Owl, an incredible heavyweight of the owl world! Further
south at Kyushu, over 10,000 cranes congregate during
then seek out Bengal Florican before visiting a community
reserve that protects Giant and White-shouldered Ibis
(both critically endangered) as well as various other highly
sought-after species, including White-rumped Falcon and
Pale-capped Pigeon. At our final site in Cambodia we will
visit a vulture restaurant where several species can be
expected, including the rare Red-headed, White-rumped
and Slender-billed Vulture. Moving on to Vietnam we
concentrate on the endemic bird areas in the south, and will
visit Nam Cat Tien National Park and Dalat. A long list
of potential avian highlights includes Germain’s PeacockPheasant, the resplendent Green Peafowl (surely the most
impressive bird in the world!), beautiful Bar-bellied and
Blue-rumped Pitta, Black-headed Parrotbill, Gray-crowned
Crocias, Green Cochoa, Vietnamese Cutia and localized
Black-hooded, White-cheeked and Orange-breasted
Laughingthrush, to mention but a few of the exciting
prospects here. Amongst the mammalian species that we
seek are two endangered primates; Black-shanked Douc and
Buff-cheeked Gibbon.
Our Japan – Spring Birding tour will visit the same islands
as our popular Winter Birding tour but at a contrasting
time of year. The snowy wonderland of Hokkaido will be
transformed into a lush, green and flowering expanse of
grassy meadows with rugged mountain backdrops, while
Honshu and Kyushu’s extensive deciduous forests come
alive with the songs of breeding migrants. This exciting and
seldom-offered tour of Japan will target specialties such as
Japanese Paradise Flycatcher, Japanese Robin, Japanese
Thrush, Siberian Rubythroat and the difficult Fairy Pitta,
while we should still see many desirable resident species
including Red-crowned Crane, Blakiston’s Fish Owl, Green
and Copper Pheasant, Japanese Green Woodpecker and
much besides!
Our Southern Islands Extension visits the subtropical
islands of Amami and Okinawa and, with their white-sand
beaches and palm trees, makes for a striking contrast to the
frigid islands of the north. These tiny isles are home to an
array of extremely localized endemics, with Amami hosting
the beautiful Lidth’s Jay, Amami Thrush and the endangered
Amami Woodcock. On Okinawa we seek out the threatened
Black-faced Spoonbill and a horde of other over-wintering
migrants, before turning our attention to the island’s specials
including the remarkable and elusive Okinawa Rail and
Okinawa Woodpecker, as well as Ryukyu Robin, Ryukyu
Minivet and Ryukyu Scops Owl.
Our Best of Birding Vietnam & Cambodia tour
commences in Cambodia at the famous Prek Toal
waterbird colony where we search for Greater Adjutant,
the increasingly elusive Masked Finfoot and both Milky
and Painted Stork, amongst thousands of waterbirds. We
Palawan Peacock-Pheasant by Dubi Shapiro
Japanese Macaque by Nima Sarikhani
Our Cambodia Extension kicks off with a combined
birding and historical tour of the fabled Angkor Watt
temples, before we continue exploring forests and
grasslands en route to our main destination, Seima Protected
Forest. Targets include Sarus Crane, Black-necked
Stork, Orange-necked Partridge, numerous woodpeckers
(including the huge Great Slaty and Heart-spotted), the
newly discovered Cambodian
Tailorbird and Mekong
Wagtail. On the
mammal front we
will seek Irrawaddy
Dolphin, Yellowcheeked Crested
Gibbon and
the nocturnal
Pygmy Loris. Our
Cambodia and Vietnam
tours offer exceptional
Asian birding for the
adventurous traveler!
Philippine Eagle by Rich Lindie
these winter months to escape the blizzards of the Siberian
steppes. The majority consist of White-naped and Hooded
Cranes, although a remarkable seven crane species have
been recorded! Large stands of temperate broad-leaved
forests harbor Japanese Grosbeak and Japanese Wood and
Whistling Green Pigeon, whilst Baikal Teal is regular on
small water-bodies and the striking Japanese Murrelet will
be sought offshore.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Cambodia, Vietnam, The Philippines & Japan
37
Asia // islands
I
Bali Starling by Adam Riley
Nestled in the tropical waters of
Wallacea, the remarkable islands
of Sulawesi and Halmahera are
seldom-visited parts of the Indonesian
archipelago. These two strangely shaped
islands lie just to the east of Borneo, yet
their Australasian-influenced fauna could
not contrast more sharply with Borneo’s.
Our carefully-crafted tour will provide
the intrepid birder with a mouth-watering
array of exceptional endemics,
the most extraordinary of which
must surely be the outrageous
Standardwing, an otherworldly birdof-paradise observed at its display lek.
The luxuriant rainforests are also home to a
wonderful assortment of parrots, fruit doves
and endemic kingfishers, while other targets include
Hylocitrea (previously known as Olive-flanked Whistler
but now placed in its own family), the stellar Ivory-breasted
Pitta, strange Maleo, Purple-bearded Bee-eater, Knobbed
Hornbill and Purple-winged Roller. Unique mammals also
abound, including the cute Spectral Tarsier and aberrant
Crested Black Macaque. This tour offers some of the finest
endemic island birding in the world!
The Lesser Sundas, a diverse and rugged chain of islands
stretching across the Java Sea between Bali and New
Guinea, support more than 80 endemics. Our birding tour
visits four of these islands (Sumba, Timor, Flores and
Komodo) and targets over 60 of these localized and highly
sought-after birds. We explore montane rainforests, lowland
monsoon forests and dry scrub. Key targets include Sumba
Hornbill, the beautiful Red-naped Fruit Dove, Black-
38
We will stay at a fantastic lodge set inside the national park,
offering great mammal and bird viewing plus world-class
snorkeling opportunities. We also bird the montane forests
of Bedugul and the coastal and wetland areas around Nusa
Dua.
Standardwing by Ignacio Yúfera
These tours are also available as customized private departures
ndonesia, spread across 17,508 islands, boasting over
1,600 bird species and nearly 400 endemics (more than
any other nation in the world), is an essential destination
for the world birder. We are therefore proud to offer
opportunities to thoroughly explore this mind-bogglingly
biodiverse but sadly threatened region and advise birders to
take advantage of the current phase of political stability.
banded Flycatcher, Orange-sided Thrush, Timor Sparrow,
the difficult Flores Scops Owl, Elegant Pitta, unusual Barethroated Whistler, stunning Glittering Kingfisher, Yellowcrested Cockatoo and the truly impressive 10ft Komodo
Dragon! Internationally renowned as a holiday mecca, a
lesser known fact is that Bali also offers exceptional birding.
Our Bali Birding Extension visits the drier north-west at
Bali Barat National Park, home to the last few wild Bali
Starlings, as well as a range of specials shared only with
Java, including Javan Banded Pitta and Green Junglefowl.
Sunda Thrush by Dubi Shapiro
Over the next few years we plan to offer a succession of
cruises coupled with short land-based ventures to some of
the most exciting and least known islands on our planet.
Our Indonesian cruises will be led primarily by David
Bishop, author of the field guide to the birds of these
fabled islands. Following in the footsteps of Alfred Russell
Wallace and some of the world’s most famous naturalists,
we will encounter a plethora of Indonesia’s remarkable
avian endemics. Our West Papuan Island cruise to the
Raja Empat Islands (Waigeu, Batanta, Salawati and Kofiau)
will seek out such extraordinary gems as Wilson’s Bird-ofparadise – regarded by many as the most spectacular bird
on earth; Red Bird-of-paradise, Kofiau Paradise Kingfisher
and Kofiau Monarch. Thereafter we cross Weber’s Line
and head into the south Moluccas. Here we explore the
little birded waters in addition to visiting several endemicrich islands including Obi, Seram, Boano and Ambon for
many incredibly exciting endemics such as Bare-eyed Rail,
Carunculated Fruit Dove, Obi Woodcock, Lazuli Kingfisher
and Long-crested Myna, to mention but a handful. We will
then continue westwards along the north coast of Seram
to the little-explored islands of Boano and Ambon where
we hope to find the virtually unknown Boano Monarch
and Ambon White-eye. Our Buru Extension explores
a beautifully forested island hosting 20 avian endemics
including Buru Green Pigeon, Spectacled Imperial Pigeon,
superb Buru Racket-tail, Moluccan King Parrot, Buru
Boobook, Black-tipped Monarch and Tawny-backed Fantail
among many others, and if we are very lucky perhaps Lesser
Masked Owl or the reputedly nocturnal Black-lored Parrot!
Eastern Indonesia is so littered with little known,
virtually unexplored islands that we will have a surfeit of
opportunities to check out places where no birder has been
before and undoubtedly make some exciting discoveries
along the way. Rockjumper’s Far Eastern Indonesian
Sumatra and Java harbor numerous tantalizing endemics.
The vast and wild Sumatra is surprisingly poorly explored.
We will range from the bird- and mammal-rich lowland
rainforests of Way Kambas National Park to the volcanic
slopes of Mt. Kerinci, Sumatra’s highest mountain and the
famous Tapan Road. Key targets include the endangered
White-winged Duck, Bronze-tailed Peacock-Pheasant,
Salvadori’s Pheasant, Large Frogmouth, Bonaparte’s
Nightjar, Black-crowned and the incomparable Schneider’s
Pitta, Sumatran Trogon, gorgeous Pink-headed Fruit Dove,
Chestnut-winged and Shiny Whistling Thrush and Sumatran
Cochoa. Mammal opportunities include Sumatran Tiger,
Clouded Leopard, Leopard Cat, Sun Bear, Asian Elephant
and Siamang. Java is a land of great beauty, dominated
by towering volcanos whose forests support important
watersheds for the fertile rice fields that dominate the
lowlands. Wandering along the enchanting trails of Mt.
Gede – Pangrang and Baluran National Parks, we will
search for a long list of endemics and specialties including
the tiny Pygmy Tit, Spotted Crocias, exquisite Whiteflanked Sunbird, Orange-spotted Bulbul, miniscule Javan
Tesia, Sunda Thrush, Green Junglefowl, Green Peafowl and
gorgeous Javan Banded Pitta.
New Guinea is the world’s largest tropical island, surpassed
in size only by Greenland, and is blessed with an incredible
avifauna, including some of the planet’s most outlandish
species. The province of West Papua occupies the littlebirded Indonesian half of the island, comprising large
expanses of pristine habitat, from towering snow-capped
peaks to huge tracts of humid lowland forest, including
several isolated mountain ranges. This has led to the
evolution of a diverse and unusually interesting birdlife
with numerous endemics. Our comprehensive tour to the
region is designed to see as many of these range-restricted
and endemic birds as possible, including such spectacular
and sought-after species as Red, Wilson’s and MacGregor’s
Bird-of-paradise, Splendid and Arfak Astrapia, Western
Parotia, Long-tailed Paradigalla, Vogelkop Bowerbird,
Collared Brushturkey, Snow Mountains Quail, Papuan
Eagle, Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Victoria and Western
Crowned Pigeon, Papuan Logrunner, Spotted Jewel-babbler
and Vogelkop Melidectes to name but a few! For those
dedicated birders with a
sense of adventure
and a desire to
see birds that
very few
people have
ever seen, this
remains one
of the most
incredible
destinations
on Earth!
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
cruise kicks off in the Kai islands from where we explore
some of the least birded waters and islands on our planet.
Taking in Great and Little Kai, endemic rich Tanimbar
Islands, Pulau Banda, Damar (one of THE most exciting of
the trip), arid Pulau Leti, fascinating but little known Wetar
finally ending in West Timor. Numerous island endemics
and sought-after pelagic species can be expected as well
as rare cetaceans. A selection of our many targets include
Heinroth’s Shearwater, Tanimbar Scrubfowl, Elegant and
Pink-headed Imperial Pigeon, the exquisite Wallace’s Fruit
Dove, Wetar Ground Dove, elusive Fawn-breasted Thrush,
Great and Little Kai White-eye, Damar Flycatcher and the
enigmatic Kisar Friarbird.
Komodo Dragon by Adam Riley
Knobbed Hornbill by Ignacio Yúfera
Sumatran Orangutan by Rainer Summers
Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise by Dubi Shapiro
Indonesia including West Papua
39
40
totals of around 400 species include up to 22 different birdsof-paradise! The extravagant birds that we can expect to
see range from the bizarre Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise
to the strangely plumed King-of-Saxony, and from the
brilliant Blue and King Birds-of-paradise to watching
Raggiana and Greater Birds-of-paradise dance at
their phenomenal leks. We also enjoy almost 20
kingfisher species, a feat impossible to match anywhere
else in the world. Furthermore, most of our tours boast
sightings of the rarely-seen Shovel-billed Kookaburra,
remarkable Southern Crowned Pigeon, unbelievable
Flame Bowerbird and Papuan Eagle. You can
Unique is perhaps an overly used term, but in reference to
our Islands of the South-west Pacific tour it is absolutely
appropriate. This will be a comprehensive birding itinerary
to such islands and island groups such as Western Samoa
(Uplou and Savaii), Fiji (Taveuni, Viti Levu and Kadavu),
Vanuatu (Efate and Espiritu Santo), and New Caledonia
(including Lifou.) Each island exhibits its own distinctive
ensemble of spectacular and rarely-seen endemics, including
some of our planet’s least known species. On this trip
we will be treated to a wonderful assortment of imperial
pigeons, fruit doves, parrots and lorikeets, kingfishers,
the fabulous and monotypic Kagu, hosts of flycatchers,
monarchs, fantails, whistlers, honeyeaters and white-eyes,
almost all of which are endemic. Besides Kagu, key targets
King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise by Markus Lilje
Traveling by air, road and boat, our Birding in Paradise
tour explores the region’s diverse habitats, from winding
lowland rivers and sprawling grasslands, to rich highland
ecosystems and forested valleys. Here tribes dance
mimicking the fabulous birds-of-paradise, adorned with
elaborate head plumes of the exotic birds that grace this
mystical island. Over the years Rockjumper
has established an unbeatable reputation
for leading highly successful
birding tours to Papua
New Guinea,
and our tour
therefore expect a phenomenal array of remarkable birds
amidst vast and pristine forests. Our New Britain Endemics
Extension takes us to another beautiful and little-explored
region of the world, the Bismarck Archipelago. Here we
bird forests and tiny islets for several exciting species,
including Melanesian Megapode, outlandish Nicobar Pigeon
and a plethora of endemic doves, kingfishers and parrots.
Our journey though Papua New Guinea is rated by many as
the world’s ultimate birding tour!
Kagu courting by Jonathan Rossouw
O
f all the world’s birding destinations, Papua New
Guinea surely ranks as the most fascinating and
exotic. New Guinea, the planet’s second largest
island, was the last inhabited landmass to be explored by
Europeans. Its virtually untouched forests come alive with
the sights and sounds of fruit doves, fig parrots, fairywrens,
whistlers, paradise kingfishers, jewel-babblers, honeyeaters,
berrypeckers and bowerbirds, whilst more than 20 species
of dazzling birds-of-paradise display their iridescent colors
and elaborate plumes in one of the most astonishing exhibits
of the natural world!
Brehm's Tiger Parrot by Markus Lilje
Raggiana Bird-of-paradise by Markus Lilje
These tours are also available as customized private departures
AustralasiA // northern
adventure include Vanuatu Megapode, Vanuatu Petrel,
Claret-breasted Fruit Dove, Vanuatu Imperial Pigeon,
Solomons Cockatoo, Santa Cruz Shrikebill, Solomons
Monarch, Makira Honeyeater, Long-tailed Myna and
Polynesian Starling. This cruise also affords us the fabulous
opportunity to dive and explore one of the planet’s most
The South West Pacific Odyssey cruise, beginning in
New Zealand and ending in Papua New Guinea, provides
an unprecedented opportunity to see some of the world’s
most rarely-observed seabirds and remote island endemics.
We land at Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, and four of the
Solomon Islands, before disembarkation at East New Britain
off Papua New Guinea. Such mouthwatering species as Kagu, Beck’s Petrel,
Heinroth’s Shearwater, Roviana Rail,
Norfolk Island Parakeet, Rennell Shrikebill
and Crow Honeyeater are possible, as
well as a potential new species of storm
petrel off New Caledonia. Birds aside,
the list of cetaceans is outstanding
and there are also many snorkeling,
swimming and relaxation opportunities.
The option also exists to continue on
until Japan with the second leg of this
journey, namely the Pacific Pelagic
Odyssey – please refer to page 61
for more information.
Orange Dove by Jonathan Rossouw
Our Melanesian cruises take us to seldom-visited tropical
islands that host over 200 endemic bird species! Our
Melanesia Discoverer cruise explores the key islands
from mainland New Guinea eastwards taking in New
Ireland, Manus, Bougainville and several of the western
Solomon Islands. Aside from the many endemic and rangerestricted birds, including chances for Victoria Crowned
Pigeon, the amazing Superb Pitta, Twelve-wired and King
Birds-of-paradise, Beck’s Petrel and Sanford’s Sea Eagle
(to name just a handful), this cruise also offers some of
the finest snorkeling and diving in the world! Our Secrets
of Melanesia cruise continues eastwards covering the
outer Solomon Islands through to Vanuatu. Targets on this
famous wrecks and discover hidden underwater worlds
bejewelled with a dazzling array of astounding marine life.
Southern Crowned Pigeon by Markus Lilje
include the incredible Orange, Golden, Tanna Fruit and
Cloven-feathered Doves, Flat-billed Kingfisher, Silktail
and giant Crow Honeyeater. Furthermore, the islands of the
South-west Pacific have a lazy, relaxed charm about them
and, birds aside, we can also anticipate a fascinating collage
of landscapes and culture, great food and some lovely
accommodation. This tour will be led by one of the region’s
most experienced and knowledgeable birders and is suitable
for both hardcore birders and more general travelers seeking
a relaxed and exotic island vacation.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Tahiti Petrel by Jonathan Rossouw
Huli Wigmen by David Shackelford
papua new guinea & melanesia: Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga & Samoa
43
41
birding around Melbourne. Our targets are numerous, and
highlights might include Victoria’s and Paradise Riflebird,
Australian Logrunner, Noisy Pitta, the strange Chowchilla,
unique Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Tooth-billed, Regent
and the exquisite Golden Bowerbird, outrageous Southern
Cassowary, Emu, Superb Lyrebird, the strange Plainswanderer (sole member of its own family), much desired
Malleefowl, endangered Regent Honeyeater, Rose-crowned,
Wompoo and Superb Fruit Dove, Topknot and Squatter
Pigeon, Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Eastern Ground Parrot,
Powerful and Rufous Owl, Australian Owlet-nightjar,
Superb and Splendid Fairywren, and a plethora of colorful
parrots including King Parrot, Yellow-tailed and Red-tailed
Black Cockatoo and the incomparable Major Mitchell’s
Cockatoo! Non-avian highlights will be abundant, ranging
from soaking in the magnificent scenery of eastern
Australia, marveling at the world’s strangest mammals,
including such exotic sounding creatures as quolls,
bandicoots, wombats, gliders, possums, bettongs, wallabies,
echidnas, koalas and of course kangaroos, to enjoying the
company of friendly, warm and welcoming Australians.
Southern Cassowary by Jonathan Rossouw
These tours are also available as customized private departures
AustralasiA // southern
ustralia is a vast and biodiverse continent, packed
with numerous and often spectacular endemic birds
and bizarre wildlife found nowhere else on our
planet. Our comprehensive Australia - East Coast tour
covers the prime birding and wildlife sites of Australia’s
eastern seaboard, from the wet tropical rainforests and
mangrove backwaters of the Daintree and endemic-rich
Atherton Tablelands near Cairns, through to the cool
temperate forests of Lamington and Royal National Parks,
an exciting pelagic seabird trip off Wollongong, the scenic
Capertee Valley and surrounds, the remote Outback
area around Deniliquin, and finally ends with coastal
42
Our South West Extension takes us to the fantastic Darling
and Stirling Ranges, Dryandra Woodland and the productive
heathlands of Albany, to seek out the dozen endemic and
numerous other avian and wildlife targets of this isolated
ecozone. Prime amongst these is the Noisy Scrubbird,
believed to be extinct until its dramatic rediscovery in
1961. Further targets include Short-billed and Long-billed
Black Cockatoo, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Painted Buttonquail,
Western Bristlebird, Western Whipbird, Western Wattlebird,
Western Spinebill, Western Thornbill, Western Corella,
Western Rosella, Rock Parrot, Western Ringneck, Splendid
and Blue-breasted Fairywren, Southern Emu-wren, Western
Fieldwren, White-cheeked Honeyeater, the stunning
little Red-capped Robin, Crested Shrike-Tit, Red-eared
Firetail, Western Brush Wallaby, Quokka and even chances
for Numbat. For our Tasmania Extension, we fly into
Hobart to search for the thirteen endemics of this rugged,
temperate and isolated island. Spending two nights on
Bruny Island and another near Mount Field National Park,
we will seek the rare and beautiful Forty-spotted Pardalote,
Stitchbird by Adam Riley
Plains-wanderer by Jonathan Rossouw
Little Spotted Kiwi by Adam Riley
Gouldian Finch by Jonathan Rossouw
New Zealand supports a host of unusual endemic land
birds and a rich assemblage of marine birds and other
wildlife. Our very comprehensive tour is designed to seek
almost every possible endemic bird species and take full
advantage of New Zealand’s exceptional oceanic diversity.
Beginning in Auckland we will target North Island Brown
Kiwi, outrageous Tui (an endemic honeyeater) and gorgeous
New Zealand Pigeon, amongst a multitude of other species
that will no doubt be lifers. The first of our several pelagic
excursions takes place in the Hauraki Gulf, in search of the
recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm Petrel, endemic
Buller’s Shearwater, localized Black Petrel, Grey Noddy,
and a myriad of other seabirds. Continuing to the fabled
Tiritiri Matangi Island, we will bird this predator-free
reserve for the prehistoric Takahe, North Island Kokako and
localized Stitchbird, before combing the Miranda shoreline
for the bizarre Wrybill and flocks of migrant waders. We
round off our time on North Island inside the fern-tree
forests, searching for the noisy New Zealand Kaka, migrant
Long-tailed Cuckoo and tiny Rifleman.
Crossing onto South Island, our first stop is Motuara Island
Bird Sanctuary, where the dazzling South Island Saddleback
and New Zealand Robin will no doubt entertain us, before
we embark on another pelagic adventure into the fantastic
upwelling off Kaikoura, searching for an abundance of
albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels. Travelling across South
Island, we will seek the endemic flightless rail known as the
Weka, as well as Great Spotted Kiwi, before hiking through
pristine Red Beech forest surrounded by breathtaking
glacier-lined mountains, where Pipipi, New Zealand Kaka,
Yellow-crowned Parakeet, and the massive Kea can be
Duck-billed Platypus by Glen Valentine
Black Currawong, Little Penguin, Musk Duck, Tasmanian
Nativehen, Green Rosella, Tasmanian Thornbill, Scrubtit,
Beautiful Firetail, Yellow Wattlebird, Yellow-throated,
Strong-billed and Black-headed Honeyeater, and many
others. Tasmania is also the stronghold for numerous rare
mammals and we stand good chances of finding the unique
and aberrant Platypus, massive Common Wombat, the
attractive Eastern Barred Bandicoot or even the catlike,
carnivorous Eastern Quoll.
found. In Fiordland National Park our targets will include
Blue Duck, the cute Rock Wren and the scarce New Zealand
Falcon, before catching our ferry to the rugged Stewart
Island. Here Southern Brown Kiwi, New Zealand Bellbird,
Yellowhead and a variety of other specialties will entertain
us before another pelagic outing visiting several nearby
islands. Our final destination will be Dunedin, where a visit
to a Northern Royal Albatross colony and a Yellow-eyed
Penguin breeding site will certainly be amongst the many
highlights of this rewarding tour. With excellent lodging
and meals, awe-inspiring scenery and fantastically friendly
“Kiwis”, this is sure to be a birding tour of a lifetime!
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Australia & New Zealand
43
South America // southern
e offer a comprehensive suite of Argentina
tours that will take you to the very best birding
sites that this diverse country has to offer. Our
Argentina - Birding the Pampas & Northern Patagonia
tour is an overland adventure from Buenos Aires in the
Magellanic Plover by Rich Lindie
44
heart of the Pampas grasslands to the Valdes Peninsula in
northern Patagonia. Targets include most of the Argentine
endemics such as Sandy Gallito, Carbonated Sierra Finch,
Cinnamon Warbling Finch and Chubut Steamer Duck.
Other key species include Firewood-gatherer, South
American Painted-Snipe, Greater Rhea, Spotted Nothura,
Yellow Cardinal and Olrog’s Gull. This tour wraps up at
the Valdes Peninsula where we visit a Magellanic Penguin
colony and seek marine mammals including Southern Right
Whale, Southern Elephant Seal and the famous beaching
Orcas! Our Southern Patagonia Extension continues
from the Valdes Peninsula south-west towards the Andean
glaciers of El Calafate, picking up most of the Patagonian
specialties en route. Over 60 Patagonian endemics can
be expected, including the unique Magellanic Plover
(placed in its own monotypic family), the huge Magellanic
Woodpecker, White-throated Treerunner, Austral Rail and
the critically endangered Hooded Grebe. We will also have
the opportunity to explore a mixed colony of Magellanic
Our Northern Argentina Comprehensive Birding Tour
targets every single endemic and near endemic the region
has to offer! From such diverse areas as the spectacular
Humahuaca Valley and Yungas Cloud forests of Calilegua,
across the rarely-visited Gran Chaco, we bird remarkable
wetlands of Esteros del Iberá, the last remnants of San
Pedro’s native Araucaria forest and conclude at one of
the most spectacular natural wonders of the world, the
gargantuan Iguazú Falls. Amongst the many fine birds
we will target are such desirable and localized species
as Rufous-throated Dipper, Tucuman Mountain Finch,
Tucuman Amazon, White-throated Cacholote, Strangetailed Tyrant, Yellow Cardinal, Araucaria Tit-Spinetail,
spectacular Andean Condor, exquisite Red-tailed Comet and
the extraordinary Lyre-tailed Nightjar. This tour is suitable
for those who enjoy easy birding, awe-inspiring landscapes,
comfortable travel, fine cuisine and comfortable lodgings,
and comes very highly recommended! Our Hooded Grebe
Extension takes us to the Andes of southern Argentina to
seek the critically endangered Hooded Grebe, a beautiful
and recently discovered species that is facing a very real
risk of imminent
extinction. Other targets include
the unique
Magellanic Plover, Magellanic
Woodpecker and
Austral Rail. Our Cordoba
Endemics
extension explores the
geographically
isolated Cordoba
Hills where endemics
abound and we can
expect to find Olrog’s and
Cordoba Cinclodes as well as the
extremely localised Salis Monjita.
Chile occupies a 2,650 mile-long narrow
ribbon of
land between the Pacific Ocean and the
Andes, and
stretches from north of the Atacama
Desert to Cape
Horn, the southernmost headland
of the Tierra
del Fuego archipelago. Chile is
one of South
Red-legged Seriema by Luis Segura
Guanacos by Ignacio Yúfera
These tours are also available as customized private departures
and Southern Rockhopper Penguins, as well as enjoying a
great diversity of seabirds along the Atlantic coast of mighty
Patagonia.
Hooded Grebe by Luis Segura
Yellow-fronted Woodpecker by Adam Riley
Paraguay is a seldom-visited birding and wildlife
wonderland. Our Paraguay - Birds & Wildlife tour
explores all the major hotspots and habitat types. These
range from Chaco woodlands, scrub and waterholes
where we will search for Spot-winged Falconet, Chaco
Chachalaca, Cream-backed and Black-bodied Woodpeckers,
Scimitar-billed Woodcreeper, Chaco Earthcreeper,
Many-colored Chaco Finch, Olive-crowned
Crescentchest and Quebracho Crested Tinamou,
to name just some of the exciting possibilities.
We will also spend time in the pampas,
savannahs and expansive grasslands in search
of such specials as Giant Snipe, Sickle-winged
Nightjar, Sharp-tailed Grass, Cock-tailed and
Cinereous Tyrants, Bearded Tachuri, Black-legged
Seriema and a host of seedeaters and seedfinches.
We will even search the wonderful Atlantic
Rainforest patches for Black-fronted Piping Guan,
Saffron Toucanet, Helmeted Woodpecker, Tufted Antshrike
and many other colorful forest species. While the array of
birds is impressive to say the least, the wildlife on this tour
will also be outstanding, with opportunities for Lowland
Tapir, Greater Hairy Armadillo, Puma and possibly even
elusive Jaguar!
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Puma by Ignacio Yúfera
America’s most stable and prosperous
nations and our comprehensive
Birds, Wildlife & Andean Landscapes
birding tour covers the highlights of
this fabulous country as we search for its
numerous specialties and endemics.
These range from the giant Andean
Condor to the tiny Chilean Woodstar,
and include the unique Chilean tapaculos called
huet-huets and turcas. One of our primary targets
will no doubt be the highly sought-after Diademed
Plover, while other no less desirable species include
James’s Flamingo, Puna Ibis, Chilean Tinamou, Rufous­
bellied Seedsnipe, Andean Avocet, Rufous-legged Owl,
Slender-billed Parakeet, Magellanic Woodpecker, Whitethroated Treerunner and the appropriately named Giant
Hummingbird. We will also undertake an exciting pelagic
excursion in search of the region’s seabirds, including
the rare Peruvian Diving Petrel and Chilean Skua, while
mammal possibilities include herds of stately Vicunas,
the range-restricted Southern Sea Otter and the bizarre
Mountain Viscacha. Accommodations, meals and wines are
excellent throughout the tour and the Chilean people offer
warm hospitality. Combined with the outstanding scenery
of high altitude Puna lakes and snow-capped volcanoes,
excellent coastal desert and rich Patagonian forest, this is
without doubt one of South America’s most memorable
birding destinations. Our post-tour Arica Extension
takes us to the country’s far north, where we explore the
scenic, varied habitats ranging from the Atacama Desert
oasis valleys (thousands of feet deep!), and venture up the
desolate west face of the Andes to the high Puna. Coastal
birds such as Gray Gull and beautiful Peruvian Tern grace
the beaches, while Peruvian Martin, Tamarugo Conebill,
Peruvian Sheartail and Oasis Hummingbird occur within the
Oasis Valleys. Other highlights might include Puna Rhea,
Puna Tinamou and thousands of flamingos of three species.
Andean Condor by Murray Cooper
Chile, Argentina & Paraguay
Torrent Duck by Adam Riley
45
These tours are also available as customized private departures
B
46
razil is an outstandingly huge and biodiverse
country, and our birding tours to the region offer a
thorough selection of Brazil’s incredible highlights.
Rockjumper’s Birds & Wildlife of the Pantanal &
Cerrado is one of our classic must-do tours. Kicking
off in the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland system,
encompassing 80,000 square miles of emerald forests,
savannas, rivers and lagoons and boasting over 650 bird and
a staggering 200 mammal species! The nearby dry Cerrado
habitat is also home to an amazing diversity of birds,
several of them highly localized species. This combination
provides us with the fantastic opportunity to seek out such
specials as Bare-faced Curassow, Chestnut-bellied Guan,
Greater Rhea, Red-legged Seriema, Southern Screamer,
the majestic Hyacinth Macaw, Sunbittern, Sungrebe,
Collared Crescentchest and Helmeted Manakin, amongst
an incredible diversity of other avian delights. In addition,
the abundance of mammals in the Pantanal includes such
sought-after creatures as Giant River Otter, Brazilian Tapir,
Giant Anteater and, of course, the mighty Jaguar, which we
stand an excellent chance of observing from boats on the
Cuiaba River! Our pre-tour extension to the Argentine side
of the impressive Iguaçu Falls, the most
voluminous and arguably most scenic
waterfall in the world, offers fantastic Atlantic
Rainforest birding and targets include
Surucua Trogon, Helmeted Woodpecker,
Rufous-capped Motmot, Rufous Gnateater
and many more. At nearby higher-elevation
sites we seek other regional specialties such as
Saffron Toucanet, Spotted Bamboowren and Tufted
Antshrike. Finally, our Amazon Rainforest Birding
Extension takes us to the famous Cristalino Lodge. Here
we will explore the trails and waterways and scan from
a productive canopy tower in search of Razor-billed
Curassow, Zigzag Heron, Cryptic Forest Falcon, Curlcrested Aracari, Rufous-faced and Bare-eyed Antbird and
Fiery-capped, Flame-crested and Band-tailed Manakin, to
Black-cheeked Gnateater by Dubi Shapiro
Jaguar by Dale Morris
name just a few of the special southern Amazonian species
we hope to see.
Our North East Brazil itineraries take us from beaches
and arid canyons to the lush rainforests of the Atlantic
slopes – a vast area that holds some of the world’s most
spectacular and rare birds! These tours
visit all the prime birding sites in the
region and seek out the region’s endemic
and, in most cases, severely threatened species.
Targets of North Eastern Endemics - Alagoas
& Beyond include the spectacular, yet recently
discovered, Araripe Manakin, recovering Lear’s
Macaw, critically endangered White-collared
Kite, Great Xenops and Banded Cotinga, among
many other North Eastern Brazil endemics and
Atlantic Rainforest specialists. This exciting tour travels
from the coastal Fortaleza, south through the Caatinga
and Alagoas endemism locales, to the fabulous forests
Black Jacobin by Adam Riley
South America // eastern
near Salvador. North Eastern Endemics - Bahia &
Beyond travels inland, after spending time in the Atlantic
rainforests of Itacare, to the famed Chapada Diamantina.
This dramatic, fascinating landscape holds a plethora of
beautiful and endemics species, including Horned Sungem
and Diamantina Tapaculo. We then head back southwards to
the lush environs of Serra Bonita and Itubera, where we will
search for numerous Bahia endemics, stunning cotingas,
flocking tanagers and the rare Pink-legged Graveteiro and
Bahia Tapaculo.
Hyacinth Macaw by Dale Morris
Araripe Manakin by Forrest Rowland
Our South Eastern Brazil - Atlantic Forest Endemics
tour covers the highlights of the threatened Atlantic Forests,
seeking out a myriad of remarkable and rare endemic
species. Habitats range from high mountains to lowland
gallery forest and even an island where Red-tailed Parrots
roost! Ubatuba, Intervales, Itatiaia and Volta Velha are
among the big-name sites we will explore, with highlight
species including Black-fronted Piping Guan, Spot-winged
Wood Quail, Plovercrest, Buff-fronted Owl, Long-trained
Nightjar, Speckle-breasted Antpitta, Swallow-tailed Cotinga,
Sharpbill, Bare-throated Bellbird, Streamer-tailed Tyrant,
as well as numerous antbirds and gorgeous tanagers! Our
unique Minas Gerais Extension searches for the special
birds of this state including the incomparable Hyacinth
Visorbearer, vibrant Blue Finch, localized Cipo Canastero
and the charismatic Gray-backed Tachuri, and that’s just
the first site! Brasilia Tapaculo, Campo Miner, Firewoodgatherer and the extremely rare Brazilian Merganser are
other targets. Our post-tour extension to Rio Grande
do Sul offers superb birding in a lovely region of Brazil
infrequently visited by birders. From the beautiful highlands
near Sao Francisco de Paula we head straight to the coast for
a dramatic change in scenery and birds. Some of the species
we seek include Spotted Nothura, Dot-winged and Red-andwhite Crake, Red-spectacled Parrot, Mottled Piculet, Baycapped Wren-Spinetail, Hudson’s Canastero and Straightbilled Reedhaunter.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Brazil, Guyana & venezuela
Giant Anteater by John Carlyon
47
South America // eastern
We
base ourselves at a single
comfortable lodge for our Serra dos
Tucanos tour. This family-owned lodge
is situated within the 46,000-hectare Tres
Picos State Park and from here we will set out
to explore both higher and lower elevations,
covering extensive rainforest, wetlands and
drier savanna. Approximately 250 species can
be expected, including such mouth-watering Atlantic
Toco Toucan by Adam Riley
These tours are also available as customized private departures
Rainforest specialties as Sharpbill, Three-toed Jacamar,
Saffron Toucanet, Plovercrest, Giant Antshrike, Black-andgold Cotinga and Black-cheeked Gnateater.
Collared Crescentchest by Adam Riley
48
The Rio Roosevelt, or River of Doubt, is as iconic now
(after the description of 15 new species in the region
over the past few years!) as it was in the days of
Theodore Roosevelt’s ill-fated journey through
this utterly primitive, remote area. We now offer
an exciting Rio Roosevelt & Porto Velhos tour,
spending time on both sides of the river, as well
as at the various habitats around Porto Velho and
Humaita. Bird diversity on this tour is astounding, as the
river systems here have acted as biogeographical barriers
allowing evolution to go wild! Some of the exciting species
possible include Dark-winged Trumpeter, Cryptic Forest
Falcon, Crimson-bellied Parakeet, White-breasted Antbird,
Pale-faced Bare-eye, and many of the recently-described
species published in 2013, such as Aripuana and Predicted
Antwrens, Western Striolated Puffbird and Inambari
Woodcreeper. The stunning forests and landscapes only add
to the mystique, as does the rich history of the region. Our
Carajas Extension, further north in the Amazon, allows
a sampling of several habitats and species not found on
the main tour. The forested mountain ridges and swampy
drainages of this massive park harbour many incredible
birds, including the marvellous and virtually unknown
Black-chested Tyrant. This species alone would be worth
the trip, but throw in the likes of White-browed Guan,
Harpy Eagle, Fiery-tailed Awlbill, Santarem and Pearly
Parakeet, Black-bellied Gnateater, Brigida’s Woodcreeper
and White-tailed Cotinga, and this becomes an irresistible
addition!
Manaus, the metropolitan hub of Amazonia is unique, a
huge city in the middle of a seemingly endless expanse
of tropical jungles, it is also the perfect place to stage an
expedition into what looks to be a blanket of uniform
green from above but is, in fact, a mosaic of micro habitats
unparalleled anywhere on Earth. Our two week Manaus
- Heart of the Amazon tour visits all the famed sites
in the Manaus vicinity, including Anavilhanas Islands,
Guianan Cock-of-the-rock by Adam Riley
Pink River Dolphin by Adam Riley
Sun Parakeet by Adam Riley
Harpy Eagle by Adam Riley
Venezuela held court as the premier South American
birding destination until Ecuador and Colombia blossomed
into the birding meccas they have now become. It is
our pleasure to once again offer this fascinating birding
destination, which is finally opening up and becoming more
receptive to foreign visitors. We plan to have this country
on offer by 2017, with a suite of tours that span from the
Coastal Cordilleras and High Andes in the north, south
to the Llanos, and farther afield into the vast Tepui and
Orinoco regions. Gems ranging from White-tipped Quetzal
and Scallop-breasted Antpitta, to Harpy Eagle, Red-banded
Fruiteater, Rose-collared Piha and the charismatic Guianan
Cock-of-the-rock will all be possible, as well as a staggering
array of Venezuelan Andean endemics (including the newly
split White-bearded Helmetcrest) and Tepui endemics.
Wildlife opportunities will be abundant in the Llanos and
Orinoco, with staggeringly beautiful scenery as a backdrop
to these adventures.
Guyana, a small English-speaking South American
country nestled on the Atlantic Coast between Venezuela
and Suriname, has become recognized as one of South
America’s top birding and wildlife destinations. Guyana
also boasts one of the world’s most intact environments
and some of the last relatively unexplored wildernesses
on Earth. The variety of pristine habitats, from untouched
lowland rainforests that stretch to the horizon and the
endless Rupununi savannas, to arguably Earth’s most
impressive waterfall, the mighty Kaieteur Falls, ensures
Blue Manakin by Dubi Shapiro
Presidente Figueroa and Borba. We will also be setting up
a special extension that ventures into Amazonia National
Park itself. Wildlife abounds, including some of the most
spectacular monkey species on the continent. The birding
will however take first prize with species such as Vulturine
Parrot, Crimson Fruitcrow, Fiery Topaz, Fiery-tailed
Awlbill, Capuchinbird, Golden Parakeet, Black-necked and
Guianan Red-Cotinga, Harpy Eagle, Bald Parrot, and over
50 species of antshrikes, Antwrens, antbirds, antpittas and
gnateaters that will be our focus. Canopy towers, varzea
and igapo swamp boating, pristine terra firme and serra dry
forests will all be featured. a birding and wildlife tour that cannot be more highly
recommended! Locations we visit include Iwokrama,
Atta Canopy Walkway, Surama and Karanambu Ranch.
Guianan Cock-of-the-rock, Gray-winged Trumpeter,
Scarlet Ibis, Guianan Red Cotinga, Crimson Fruitcrow,
the aberrant Capuchinbird and Harpy Eagle are among
many birding highlights that can be anticipated. Mammals
also form a major emphasis of this tour and we can expect
species ranging from the amazing Giant Anteater to Giant
River Otter, plus an excellent chance for Jaguar. Our Sun
Parakeet & Red Siskin Extension takes us to remote
savannas and forests in search of endangered birds including
the stunning Sun Parakeet and Red Siskin, both decimated
by the cage bird trade, as well as the highly localized Rio
Branco Antbird and other little-known species.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Brazil, Guyana & venezuela
49
These tours are also available as customized private departures
P
eru, a land of stark contrast and astounding beauty,
boasts one of the largest bird lists in the world.
What’s more, our comprehensive Classic Peru Machu Picchu to Manu tour includes the most important
archaeological site in South America, magical Machu
Picchu, where we will marvel at the most breathtaking
architectural achievement of the New World. At the scenic
Huacarpay Lakes, surrounded by Inca and pre-Inca ruins,
we will seek a wide variety of high altitude birds, including
the magnificent Andean Condor and Bearded Mountaineer.
Descending the Andean slopes, we then bird through
temperate zones and montane cloud forest, offering chances
for an incredible variety of exciting and endemic species
including Cerulean-capped and Yungas Manakin, Whiterumped Hawk, Solitary Eagle, Crested Quetzal, Bluebanded Toucanet, the outrageous Amazonian Umbrellabird,
Chestnut-crested Cotinga and Peruvian Piedtail. We also
visit an Andean Cock-of-the-rock lek site, where up to 20
males congregate to perform their strange mating dance!
Yellow-scarfed Tanager by Dubi Shapiro
50
With persistence, night birding in this area might yield
the uncommon Roraiman and Rufescent Screech Owl,
Rufous-banded
Owl and possibly even
Andean Potoo.
Continuing
into the depths
of the
Amazon, we will
explore the
Manu Biosphere
Reserve,
spending several
fabulous
days in this avian
wonderland. The
number of star birds calling this
their home is again mind-boggling, with
stellar potentials including Rufous-headed Woodpecker,
Manu Antbird, Elusive Antpitta, Razor-billed Curassow,
Pale-winged Trumpeter, Pavonine Quetzal, Purus Jacamar,
Sunbittern and Sungrebe, to name but a few.
Marvelous Spatuletail, the mysterious Long-whiskered
Owlet, Yellow-scarfed Tanager, Pale-billed Antpitta, Royal
Sunangel, Lulu’s Tody-Tyrant … these are only some
Red-fronted Macaw by Dubi Shapiro
of the mind-blowing species we’ll seek at just
one of the premier birding areas we visit on our
comprehensive Northern Peru Marañón Endemics & Marvelous
Spatuletail tour! Kicking off at the
productive coastline, we then move inland
to bird the most up-to-date sites for the vast
myriad of Tumbesian endemics, before we continue
into the very heart of the Marañón Valley. Some of the
headline species we will enjoy in this region include
Peruvian Plantcutter, flocks of Sulphur-throated Finches,
White-winged Guan, Piura Chat-Tyrant, Tumbes Tyrant
and Spotted Rail. Mammal opportunities include a high
probability of encountering the elusive Spectacled Bear!
Once in the Marañón drainage proper, we will seek out the
whole suite of Marañón endemics including all four inca
finches, Marañón Crescentchest, Koepcke’s Screech Owl
and Yellow-faced Parrotlet. From the depths of this famous
valley we continue to the highlands around Abra Patricia
Marvelous Spatuletail by Dubi Shapiro
South America // western
Buff-fronted Owl by Owen Deutsch
Machu Picchu scenery by Adam Riley
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Bolivia & Peru
for the mouth-watering species mentioned above – and
much besides. We then descend the Eastern Andes into the
foothills of the Amazonian lowlands where targets are many
and include an Oilbird colony, the amazing hummingbird
show at Wakanqi, Hairy-crested Antbird and numerous
tanagers including the difficult Dotted. One of the clear
highlights, however, will be a camping excursion for an
attempt (with high probability of success!) at the recently
described and extremely beautiful Scarlet-banded Barbet,
amongst many other highly desirable lifers! We finally
end the tour passing back across the Marañón drainage to
Cajamarca, where the critically endangered and localized
Gray-bellied Comet might be the last new bird of this
unforgettable trip.
Bolivia is something akin to the “Andean Frontier” in
birding. While new birds are certainly being discovered in
Colombia and Peru, Bolivia remains the least-accessible
of all the Andean nations. Lucky for us, this is changing!
Our Bolivia Mega Birding Tour covers it all: Yungas,
Savanna, Chaco, Arid Montane Valleys and the Amazon
Rainforest. While access to two Bolivian endemics remains
elusive logistically, our tour features perhaps the two most
iconic endangered endemics in the whole country: Redfronted and Blue-throated Macaw! Those aside, Red-tailed
Comet, Berlepsch’s Canastero, Scimitar-winged Piha, Slaty
Gnateater, Plush-crested Jay, Blue-capped Puffleg, Titicaca
Grebe, Bolivian Warbling Finch, Chestnut-crested Cotinga
– the list of amazing Bolivian birds is endless! Yet birds
alone are not the only allure to this culturally-intact and
aware country. Breath-taking scenery in the High Andes
puna, dramatic Andean canyons and vast savannas are the
backdrop for a vibrant cultural diversity, which makes our
experience in Bolivia’s remote wilderness all the more
memorable. We look forward to having you join us on this
ground-breaking tour.
Diademed Plover by Niels Poul Dreyer
51
Banded Ground Cuckoo by Jonathan Rossouw
Ecuadorian Hillstar by Dubi Shapiro
52
For more adventurous birders, our ground-breaking
Colombia 1,000 Birds Mega tour targets over 1,300 of
Colombia’s birds and aim to encounter over 1,000 bird
species in less than a month! This tour includes most of
the sites of our Andean Endemics tour and Santa Marta
Extension, as well as the exceptional Mitu region of
Amazonian Colombia, where we will search for another
300 species not available on our other tours. Red-fan Parrot,
Fiery Topaz, Pompadour Cotinga, Orinoco Piculet and
Brown-banded Puffbird are but some of the spectacular
birds that await us! This tour is a monumental New World
birding experience; in fact, all our previous Mega Tours
have achieved their 1,000 species goal, with our 2014 tour
recording 10% (1044 species) of the world’s birds!!!
One of our newest tours explores the least-visited sites in
Colombia that
companies,
our other tours, and those of other
miss. Given the nature of most sites
on this epic birding adventure, we have
dubbed it Remote Colombia. Our groundbreaking route allows access to 45 endemics, and
a bird list of well over 700! Beginning in Bogota,
we head east for the rare Cundinamarca Antpitta and
Green-bellied Hummingbird, before journeying to
Puerto Inirida for Pale-headed Jacamar, Orinoco Softtail,
Yellow-crested Manakin, Azure-naped Jay and other rare
and spectacular species. We also explore the fantastic Choco
lowlands for Choco Tinamou, Brown Wood Rail, Great
Green Macaw, Rufous-crowned Antpitta, several nearendemic tanagers and the endemic Baudo Oropendola. We
search Andean forests for Fuertes’s Parrot, Dusky-headed
and Yellow-headed Brush Finch, Velvet-fronted Euphonia
and Tolima Dove. Other targets include Urrao Antpitta,
Dusky Starfrontlet and Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer.
Our plans also include a visit to Sierra de Perija for five
endemics found nowhere else!
Ecuador, boasting over 1,700 bird species, great
infrastructure and spectacular scenery, offers the most
productive and enjoyable birding experiences. Our
Northern Ecuador - Birding the Andes to the Amazon
adventure covers the west Andean slopes as we bird the
exceptionally biodiverse cloudforests of the Tandayapa
and Mindo Valleys. A highlight here
is the famous antpitta show, which
produces incredibly close encounters
with several species of this tricky
family! In the Antisana Reserve’s
tundra-like grasslands we
stand chances for
numerous high
altitude species,
while we also spend
two days at the
fantastic Napo Wildlife
Center, which alone
boasts over 600 bird
species! From the
Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth by Rainer Summers
These tours are also available as customized private departures
C
olombia has more bird species than any other country:
the list is almost at a staggering 1,900, of which 72 are
endemic! This massive diversity results
from the equally diverse habitats including
three Andean Cordilleras, two inter-Andean
valleys, the lowland forests of the Amazon
and Orinoco regions and the isolated Santa Marta
Mountains. Our Colombia - Andean Endemics
tour focuses on the special birds within these areas.
While our main tour explores the bird-rich Andean
regions, our extension visits the Guajira Desert and
Santa Marta Mountains on the northern coast.
Targets include Bogota Rail, Northern Screamer, Yelloweared Parrot, Buffy Helmetcrest (one of over 70 possible
hummingbird species!), over a dozen antpitta species
(many at feeding stations), Chestnut-capped Piha, Tanager
Finch, Gold-ringed Tanager (over 60 tanager species can
be expected), White-tipped Quetzal and a host of Santa
Marta endemics. Colombia Highlights is a shorter version
of our Andean Endemics tour, yet still covers all Andean
ranges and inter-Andean valleys in search of Colombia’s
specialties. We have handpicked only choice sites, resulting
in proportionately less travel and more birding time, and an
overall less intensive tour. We target a remarkable collection
of birds, combined with spectacular scenery and pleasant
lodges situated in prime birding areas.
Sword-billed Hummingbird by Adam Riley
South America // northern
The Galapagos Islands need little introduction. The
inspiration for Darwin’s theories on evolution, our
navigation of these legendary isles affords us the chance
to see nearly all the Galapagos endemics, aside from
those on inaccessible islands. From various mockingbirds
to tool-using finches, we will enjoy island birding every
day, including such stellar seabirds as Galapagos Petrel
and displaying Waved Albatross. Equally intriguing is the
marine life, and we have the amazing opportunity to swim
daily with sea turtles, Galapagos Penguins and playful sea
lions, gaze upon fleets of eagle rays, or float above foraging
Galapagos Sharks – the area’s underwater world is just as
inspirational! Fine food, luxurious boat accommodations
and excellent local guides will round out a complete
Galapagos experience, which is something every nature
lover should do at least once!
Saffron-headed Parrot by Murray Cooper
verdant Amazon to the endemic-rich Andes, this tour offers
the very best birding in this remarkable country and comes
highly recommended. Our Sani Extension takes us to the
community owned Sani Lodge, affording opportunities for
various Amazonian birds that are difficult-to-impossible
to observe elsewhere. Targets include the endemic Cocha
Antshrike, Black Bushbird, White-lored Antpitta and
Varzea Schiffornis. Nearby river islands support Parker’s
and White-bellied Spinetail, Black-and-white Antbird and
Castelnau’s Antshrike, while Terra Firme forests across the
Napo River host Rio Suno Antwren, Ash-throated Gnateater
and many other species not found north of this river. To
complete our Ecuador experience, our Northwest Ecuador
Extension continues into the Choco lowlands where we
search for such specials as Baudo Guan, Banded Ground
Cuckoo, Sapayoa, Golden-chested and Blue-whiskered
Tanager, Scarlet-breasted Dacnis and many more!
Hoatzins by Murray Cooper
Due to incredibly complex topography, Southern Ecuador
boasts the world’s most diverse habitats, and our South
Ecuador Endemics tour will sample seven distinct areas in
search of numerous specialties. Targets include El Oro and
White-breasted Parakeet, El Oro Tapaculo, Watkins’s and
Jocotoco Antpitta, Long-wattled Umbrellabird, Rainbow
Starfrontlet and extremely localized Orange-throated
Tanager. Our Shiripuno Amazon Adventure Extension
takes us to the remote Shiripuno Lodge situated in upper
Amazonia. Boasting over 450 species within walking
distance of the lodge itself, targets include Nocturnal
Curassow, Rufous Potoo, Ringed Woodpecker, Blacknecked Red Cotinga, Lunulated and Wing-banded Antbird
and Yasuni Antwren. To complete our Southern Ecuador
endemic quest, our Cuenca Extension seeks several of the
North Andes’ rarest species. Commencing in Cuenca, we
will search for Crescent-faced Antpitta and Chestnut-bellied
Cotinga, both known from only a handful of sites. We also
visit Yunguilla for the critically endangered Pale-headed
Brush Finch, while in Cajas NP we search for Violetthroated Metaltail, Ecuadorian Rail, Tit-like Dacnis and
Giant Conebill, all the while surrounded by glorious peaks,
glacial lakes and rolling paramos.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Ecuador, GalÁpagos Islands & Colombia
Photographing Nazca Boobies by Murray Cooper
53
Central America //
54
Surrounding
forest and
wetland sites provide diverse
birding, while mammal opportunities
are excellent. Our next attraction is the
Canopy Lodge in the delightful hill country of
el Valle de Antón. Here we explore cloudforest
and a new range of mouth-watering species!
Continuing further south, we enter the vast
rainforests of the Darien and its myriad of exciting
birding opportunities. Key targets of this easy,
exciting tour include Harpy Eagle, Rufousvented Ground Cuckoo, the endemic Veraguan
Mango, stunning Blue Cotinga, Ocellated
and Wing-banded Antbird, Rosy ThrushTanager and the bizarre Sapayoa.
The Chiriquí Highlands
Extension rounds off
our very thorough
exploration of
Panama; these
productive cloud forests
are a birder's
delight. Potential highlights
here are the
plethora of hyperactive hummers
including
Volcano Hummingbird, Black-andyellow Phainoptila (Silky-flycatcher), Long-tailed Silkyflycatcher, Turquoise Cotinga, Three-wattled Bellbird,
Collared Whitestart and Flame-throated Warbler; although
the Resplendent Quetzal show will be hard to beat!
Spectacular volcanoes and fabulous highland lakes take
centre stage in our Guatemala - Central American
Specialties tour. While this region is probably best
known for its shade coffee productions, local people
have developed a strong environmental bond and an
understanding of ecotourism, which has resulted in much
of the remaining highland forest being protected. Even the
coffee fincas offer superb birding! At this time of year
Guatemala teems with northern migrants, but we will
also search for a host of special residents that include
the incomparable Resplendent Quetzal, cute Pinkheaded Warbler, Fulvous Owl, Rufous Sabrewing,
Blue-throated Motmot, White-throated MagpieJay, Prevost’s Ground Sparrow and the localized
Azure-rumped Tanager. A day will be devoted to
hiking the slopes of the impressive San Pedro
Volcano in search of one of the world’s most
prized birds: the fabulous Horned Guan.
Our pre-tour Atlantic Slope
Extension takes
us to
eastern
Guatemala in
search of several habitat- specific
species, including Russet-crowned Motmot,
White-lored Gnatcatcher, Lesser Ground Cuckoo,
Canivet’s Emerald and Plain-capped Starthroat. We also
explore the humid broad-leaved forest of Cerro San Gil
Reserve where species such as Red-throated Ant Tanager,
Keel-billed Tody, Slate-colored Solitaire, Black-throated
Shrike-Tanager and Scaled Antpitta occur! Finally we
explore the Mayan Quiriguá Ruins where splendid
monuments and birds such as Rufous-breasted Spinetail
will end off a fine introduction to Guatemala.
Our post-tour Tikal Extension not only takes time to
explore the remarkable Mayan ruins that dominate this
region, but also targets such highly sought-after species as
the glittering Ocellated Turkey, Orange-breasted Falcon,
Pale-billed Woodpecker, Mexican Antthrush, Blackthroated Shrike-Tanager, Northern Royal Flycatcher and the
Resplendent Quetzal by Vivek Khandoze
Spotted Antbird by Adam Riley
Rosy Thrush-Tanager by Adam Riley
These tours are also available as customized private departures
P
anama is the perfect introduction to tropical
American birding. This friendly and accessible
country offers an array of typical Neotropical
species, as well as several endemics and birds difficult to
find elsewhere. Our Best of Panama tour concentrates on
three key areas. We spend several days at and around the
famous Panama Canopy Tower, allowing us an unrivalled
opportunity to explore the rainforest canopy of
Soberanía National Park from a bird’s eye
view. Colorful tanagers, toucans
and honeycreepers can even be
observed from our beds
or dining room!
Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala & Belize
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Keel-billed Toucan by Adam Riley
The small nation of Costa Rica has geared itself heavily
towards birding tours, developing a superb infrastructure
to service the numerous visiting birders, and with over 850
species it is easy to understand why! The backbone of the
country is formed by a scenic mountain range, and here
the cloud forests are home to exotic species such as the
unbelievable Resplendent Quetzal, Black Guan, Snowcap,
Fiery-throated Hummingbird, Golden-browed Chlorophonia
and Spangle-cheeked Tanager, plus a plethora of striking
trogons, toucans, motmots, other hummingbirds and migrant
warblers. Thrilling birding, quality lodges and a relaxed
pace make this destination perfect for anyone who has yet to
experience the exciting avifauna of Central America!
Violet-crowned Woodnymph by Adam Riley
The newest addition to our Central American suite of
birding tours are the hospitable countries of Belize and
Honduras! Both nations occupy an important migratory
zone of north western Central America. Tiny Belize, the
only English speaking Central American nation, supports
the highest density of Jaguar on Earth and claims the
world’s second largest barrier reef. Belize’s neighbour,
Honduras, may well be Central America’s best kept wildlife
secret. A biodiversity hotspot, it supports over 700 bird
species, playing host to over 30 separate cloud forests.
These countries cover a diverse range of landscapes and
habitats from cloud- and rainforests, coral reefs and caves
off the Caribbean coast, to swamps, lagoons and pine
savanna grasslands. Our very relaxed Best of Belize and
Best of Honduras tours – which can either be undertaken
as completely separate or linked departures – target a rich
assemblage of Neotropical, Yucatan and overwintering
North American warblers, including every possible endemic
and many near-endemic species in the area; and, using the
services of local bird specialists at each site, we guarantee
an impressive success rate in observing such speciality
species as Orange-breasted Falcon, Keel-billed Motmot and
Lovely Cotinga. The awesome birdlife is further augmented
by ease of travel, luxury lodges, super-friendly people and
fine cuisine, making these thoroughly enjoyable adventures
for both hardcore and casual birders alike.
Horned Guan by Adam Riley
impressive Great Curassow.
55
Central America // the caribbean
T
These tours are also available as customized private departures
he constellation of tropical islands across the
Caribbean Sea boast a regional bird endemism rate of
over 25% and are home to more than 560 bird species,
many of which are threatened or endangered. Rockjumper
offers four back-to-back Caribbean tours covering the major
islands making up the Greater Antilles: Cuba, Hispaniola,
Puerto Rico and Jamaica. Our Mexico - Yucatan Extension
(refer to pg 59) has also been strategically placed alongside
our Cuban departures for participants traveling to Cuba via
Cancun who would like to explore this endemic-rich region
of Mexico.
Cuba, just 90 miles south of Florida, is the largest island
in the Caribbean, and offers an impressive 28 endemics,
numerous Caribbean specials, and a rich assemblage of
overwintering migrants. Our comprehensive Caribbean
Endemic Birding tour targets all Cuban endemic and
near-endemic species, except the remote Cuban Kite. Wide
use of local knowledge results in an impressive success
rate at observing the island’s amazing avian diversity and
endemic wildlife. From the world’s smallest bird, the
miniscule Bee Hummingbird, to such sought-after species
as Giant Kingbird, we hope to observe the avian gems of
this beautiful island, including the cute Cuban Tody, latticetailed Cuban Trogon, localized Zapata Wren, rare Stygian
Owl, and no less than four species of stunning quail-doves!
Given the relaxed pace and vibrant culture surrounding us,
Cuba is an absolute pleasure to bird.
The Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean
nation, straddling the eastern half of arguably the most
beautiful of all the Caribbean islands, Hispaniola. This
island boasts an impressive variety of endemic and rangerestricted birds, including six endemic genera and the
monotypic Palmchat, the sole representative of its own
bird family! Our comprehensive tour is co-led by the
nation’s top birder and takes us through all the habitats
necessary to target the island’s specialties, from dry thorn
scrub to montane pine forest. Some of our numerous
targets include the rare Ridgway’s Hawk, Ashy-faced Owl,
Least Poorwill, White-fronted Quail-Dove, Hispaniolan
Amazon, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, both Broad-billed and
Red-billed Streamertail by Owen Deutsch
56
Cuban Tody by Adam Riley
Ashy-faced Owl by Dubi Shapiro
Cuban Trogon by Adam Riley
A tropical paradise with palmfringed beaches, reggae music
and a generally relaxed lifestyle,
Jamaica is also blessed with 28
mouth-watering endemics. Our
tour across this rugged
island explores
habitats from
evergreen mountain
forests to idyllic beaches
and ultramarine coastal waters and
we target all of Jamaica’s endemic bird
species, while also allowing time to soak up the
unique atmosphere of the island. Some of the
special birds we specifically seek include the
spectacular Red-billed Streamertail, Jamaican
Tody, Jamaican Pewee, Jamaican Vireo, Arrowhead Warbler,
charming Jamaican Mango, Orangequit, Jamaican Lizard
Cuckoo, Jamaican Woodpecker – and much besides.
Puerto Rico is simply incredible! With all the modern
conveniences of infrastructure and birding in the United
States, and the tropical warmth and allure of the Caribbean,
it can’t be beat! All of the endemics of this small, accessible
island will be sought during our time here, from the nearmythical Puerto Rican Amazon, to perhaps the prettiest of
all New World Woodpeckers, the Puerto Rican Woodpecker.
In fact, we hope for a clean sweep of all 17 Puerto Rican
Endemics! While Adelaide’s Warbler and Puerto Rican
Tody might top the list of most beautiful birds on the
island, Puerto Rican Lizard Cuckoo and Antillean Crested
Hummingbird are usually near the top of the favorites list.
From humid montane forests to arid coastal scrub and
beaches, we will enjoy the best of Puerto Rico.
The islands of Trinidad & Tobago lie just off the Coast of
South America, where they benefit from a Caribbean climate
and culture, but have a distinctly South American avian
affinity. With a mix of Caribbean and purely Trinidadian
endemic birds, and more widespread Caribbean and South
American species, it is no wonder that many birders get
their neotropical birding beginnings amongst the beautiful
hills, forests, mangroves and beaches of these pleasant
island nations. The pace of this tour is a delightful mix
of exciting mixed flocks in montane forests and leisurely
feeder-gazing over afternoon tea and snacks. From Bearded
Bellbirds off the veranda at Asa Wright, to watching Whitetailed Sabrewing in full view of the Caribbean Sea, this
tour is a fabulous introduction to most of the Neotropical
bird families and is enjoyable for both novices and hardcore
birders alike.
Our Lesser Antilles tour is an epic adventure, covering
6 countries and 10 islands in the quest to seek out all the
single island and Lesser Antillean Endemics. Starting from
Barbados – the most easterly of the islands – we embark
on numerous short hops to Grenada, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe,
Montserrat, Barbuda and, ultimately, Antigua. Hosting
14 single island endemics, 17 Lesser Antillean endemics,
14 Caribbean endemics and upwards of 8 potential splits,
this travel intensive but birding relaxed tour appeals to the
birder, twitcher and photographer alike and promises to be
one of our future birding highlights!
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Narrow-billed Tody, Hispaniolan Trogon,
Hispaniolan Woodpecker, White-necked
Crow, White-winged Warbler and
Hispaniolan Crossbill.
Blue-headed Quail-Dove by John Carlyon
Scarlet Ibis by Adam Riley
Bee Hummingbird by Rich Lindie
Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Lesser Antilles & Trinidad and Tobago
57
Our Arizona - Best of the Southwest tour takes it all in!
While the “Sky Islands” are essential to any Arizona visit,
replete with 10 species of hummingbird, 8 species of owl,
Elegant Trogon, Arizona Woodpecker, Painted Whitestart,
58
Red-faced Warbler and many others, we will also
incorporate time in the Sonoran desert and the higher Rocky
Mountains. Gilded Flicker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Dusky
Grouse and Le Conte’s Thrasher are as much a part of
Arizona as the special Mexican species, and we will enjoy
them all! Timing our tour with the peak of Spring migration,
we can expect over 400 species in one of the most arid areas
of the United States! Wildlife is also abundant, with Black
Bear, Ringtail, Mexican Coati and Abert’s (Tufted-eared)
Squirrel all possible.
Though Colorado is generally known as the Centennial or
Colombine State, birders know it as “The Chicken State”!
Our Colorado - The Prairie Chicken Tour takes us
through topography ranging from the expansive grasslands
of southeast Colorado, up onto the high plains and into the
deep forests and alpine tundra of the Rocky Mountains in
search of the state’s wildfowl. Expected highlights include
displaying Greater and Lesser Prairie Chicken, Sage and
Gunnison Grouse, Sharp-tailed and Sooty Grouse, Mountain
Plover, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Rough-legged Hawk, Pinyon
Jay and McCown’s Longspur, among many others!
California is much more than just gorgeous beaches and
amazing wine: it also boasts the highest bird list (neck-andneck with Texas) of any state in the Union. The diversity of
habitats not only hosts over 600 species, but includes several
birds endemic to the state, as well as restricted habitats such
as Coastal sagebrush, Sierra Nevada alpine forest, and rich
coastal waters with the best pelagic birding in the Northern
Hemisphere, along with many Western US specialties. In
under two weeks, we will explore the beautiful coastlines,
offshore water, various montane habitats and even the
Mojave Desert for such enticing species as Ashy, Black
and Least Storm Petrel, Black-vented Shearwater, Black
Turnstone, California Gnatcatcher,
Mountain Quail, Bell’s
Sparrow and many, many
more. We will round
out this lovely travel
experience by taking time to
enjoy the fine food and local
vintages in the region.
Hawaii is Earth’s
most remote
archipelago, located in
the middle of the Pacific
Ocean and consequently
with a high degree of faunal and
floral endemism. Our tour to Hawaii covers the four
major islands searching for some of the most critically
endangered birds on the planet, combined with fantastic
scenery and phenomenal underwater life. Targets include
the bizarre Akiapola’au, endangered Bristle-thighed Curlew,
'I'iwi by Owen Deutsch
Bristle-thighed Curlew by David Shackelford
S
outh Texas is a birder’s paradise at any time of the
year, but especially during late winter when the
spectacular array of resident birds are joined by an
abundance of wintering shorebirds and waterfowl. Our
Texas - Whooping Cranes & the Lower Rio Grande
Valley tour makes a comprehensive loop through the
region’s birding hotspots. Photo opportunities will abound
on this comfortable tour. Targets include the incomparable
Whooping Crane, Roseate Spoonbill, Reddish Egret,
Ferruginous Pygmy Owl, White-tailed Hawk, Plain
Chachalaca, Long-billed Thrasher and Olive Sparrow. Our
extension to West Texas takes in the desert of the far west,
where we will seek Varied Bunting, Scott’s Oriole and
Gambel’s Quail, while grasslands targets include Blackchinned Sparrow and Montezuma Quail. The stunning vistas
and lush montane and riparian forests of Big Bend National
Park, and the Davis Mountains, will be our focus as we seek
out such specialties as Lucifer Sheartail (Hummingbird),
Elf Owl, Crissal Thrasher and the near-endemic Colima
Warbler. We will enjoy fine accommodations and delicious
southern cuisine while in one of the most remote and leastpopulated regions of the United States.
Sharp-tailed Grouse by Markus Lilje
Blackburnian Warbler by Owen Deutsch
These tours are also available as customized private departures
North America //
Hawaiian Petrel, Fairy Tern, nesting Laysan Albatross,
I’iwi, Akohekohe (Crested Honeycreeper), Akikiki (Kauai
Creeper), Akepa and Palila. Join us as we focus on these
surviving endemic forest species, seabirds and other
Hawaiian specialties, combined with the riches of this
fabulous chain of picturesque tropical islands!
With thousands of miles of coastline, the highest mountains
on the continent and vast wildernesses, Alaska is a must for
all adventurers in search of unforgettable birds and wildlife
set within unrivalled beauty. The first of our suite of tours is
Nome & the Seward Peninsula, timed for when the birds
and wildlife are at their most abundant. We can expect a
host of fine Arctic and Asian birds, including Bristle-thighed
Curlew, Gyrfalcon, Hoary Redpoll and Bluethroat, with
chances for Emperor Goose, Terek Sandpiper, Siberian
Rubythroat and other rarities. The mammal highlight will be
the remarkable Musk Ox. Next on our Alaskan Adventure
is Barrow - the High Arctic where the focus will be
three-fold: Snowy Owls, High Arctic breeding waterfowl
and waders, and if we are fortunate, the iconic Polar
Bear! Spectacled and Steller’s Eiders will undoubtedly be
highlights, and besides the regular breeding shorebirds we
will also seek Asian vagrants during this unforgettable visit
to the northernmost settlement of the USA. No Alaskan
experience is complete without traveling through Denali
Musk Oxen by Adam Riley
& Kenai, and this tour is by far the most diverse offering
in this dramatically scenic region. Activities include a boat
ride through Kenai Fjords for auklets, puffins, murrelets,
whales, Sea Otters and Orca, and exploring the Denali
highway for Smith’s Longspur, Arctic Warbler and Rock
and Willow Ptarmigan, with excellent chances of bears and
wolves. We then search the lush forests around Anchorage
for American Three-toed Woodpecker, Varied Thrush, Pine
Grosbeak and more. Our final stop are the Pribilof Islands
in the Bering Sea which boast an impressive list of Asian
migrants and our visit is timed for optimum viewing of the
massive breeding colonies of alcids both kittiwakes and the
charismatic Red-faced Cormorant. While we will surely
encounter an Asian species or two during our stay, the
highlights of this visit will likely be experiencing the antics
of these endearing, photogenic, cliff breeding seabirds.
When it comes to Bering Sea birding and photography,
there’s nowhere better than the Pribs!
Mexico boasts a list of over 110 endemic bird species,
including such specials as Long-tailed and Bearded Wood
Partridge, Thick-billed Parrot, the miniscule Bumblebee
Hummingbird, striking Tufted Jay, Giant Wren, and dazzling
Orange-breasted and Rose-bellied Bunting! Combined with
easy travel, delicious and varied local cuisine, and some of
the most diverse and stunning scenery north of the Equator,
including
Alaska & Hawaii
Mexico makes for a birder’s paradise! We are currently
developing a suite of tours that focus on Mexican endemic
species. The two tours we will offer cover all of the best
birding sites in Oaxaca, Veracruz and Chiapas, including
the culturally fascinating Monte Alban and breathtaking
Sumidero Canyon. Extensions will range north to the Balsas
Drainage and Sinaloa in search of Elegant and Banded
Quail, Purplish-backed and San Blas Jay, Balsas Screech
Owl, and much more beside.
Our Yucatan Extension is offered in conjunction with our
Cuba tours. During this week-long exploration we expect
to notch up an impressive 250 bird species, including 14
endemics and another 8 near-endemics. Habitats we cover
include the scrub and forest of Tulum, coastal estuaries
and mangroves of Rio Lagartos, the endemic-rich island
of Cozumel and the deep forests that envelope the Coba
ruins. Some of our targets include the remarkable Ocellated
Turkey, Yucatan Bobwhite, Yucatan Amazon, Yucatan
Poorwill, Yucatan Woodpecker, Yucatan Jay, Yucatan Wren,
Black Catbird, Mexican Sheartail, Cozumel Emerald and
Rose-throated Tanager. Aside from brilliant birds, our
exploration also includes delicious food, breathtaking
Mayan architecture and beautiful, white sand beaches, all
of which combine to create a very relaxing and enjoyable
birding experience.
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Mexico & USA
Yucatan Jay by Owen Deutsch
59
S
pitsbergen lies a mere 600 miles from the North Pole
and is the largest island of the Svalbard Archipelago.
Draped in darkness during the long northern winter,
this frigid land is dramatically transformed into a place
of perpetual sunshine during our summer cruises. The
scenery is nothing short of breathtaking, with towering
snowcapped mountains, forbidding glaciers and flowerstudded tundra. The abundance of iconic Arctic mammals
is a major attraction, including whales, Walrus, Arctic Fox,
Reindeer and, of course, one of our primary tour targets, the
fabulous Polar Bear, of which we stand an excellent chance
of close and personal encounters. Avian specialties include
the ghost-like Ivory Gull, King Eider and vast colonies
of breeding alcids, including Little Auks (Dovekies) and
Atlantic Puffins.
Our Russian Far East cruises explore some of the richest
seas in the northern hemisphere and take us to some of the
planet’s most remote lands and islands, little explored by
naturalists and largely untouched by the modern world.
Our Russia’s Ring of Fire cruise explores three quite
distinct and unique geographical regions: the Kamchatka
Peninsula and the Commander and Kuril Islands. Referred
60
to as the “Ring of Fire” for the prevalence of its impressive
and active volcanoes, this wilderness still supports
spectacular numbers of wildlife. These range from a dozen
alcid species, including the sought-after and uniquely
bedecked Whiskered Auklet, to healthy Sea Otter and Orca
populations. We also have excellent chances for finding
a number of superb cetaceans, Steller’s Sea Lion, Brown
Bear, and outstanding birds, such as Steller’s Sea
Eagle, Short-tailed Albatross and numerous Asian
passerines. Little known outside of Russia and
seldom visited by westerners, Russia’s Sea
of Okhotsk dominates the Northwest Pacific.
Bounded to the north and west by the Russian
continent and the Kamchatka Peninsula to the
east, with the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin Island
guarding the southern border, it is almost
entirely landlocked. Its coasts were once home
to a number of groups of indigenous people:
the Nivkhi, Oroki, Even and Itelmen, and their
traditional name for this sea simply translates
as “Sea of Hunters”, which gives us a clue
as to the abundant wildlife to be found here.
Possible species include Steller’s Sea Eagle,
Whiskered and Parakeet Auklet, Red-faced Cormorant,
Horned Puffin, Fork-tailed Storm Petrel, Short-tailed
Shearwater, Beluga, Bowhead, Northern Right and Fin
Whale, the stunning Ribbon Seal, Siberian Musk Deer, Big
Horned Sheep and even chances for Wolverine. Siberia’s
Forgotten Coast expedition takes us to one of the remotest
coastlines on earth in search of some very special birds and
wildlife. Primary on our list of targets is the critically
endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, of which
fewer than 200 pairs are thought to now make the
annual migration to Northern Kamchatka and
Chukotka to breed. Other potential highlights
on this epic adventure include an incredible
13 species of alcids, Red-legged Kittiwake
and Emperor Goose. The seas also support
a rich diversity of cetaceans as well as
Walrus, while on the surrounding
coastline we will look for
Brown Bear, Kamchatka
Marmot and Arctic Fox.
Our Jewel of the
Russian Far East
cruise explores
Steller's Sea Eagle by Nima Sarikhani
Polar Bear and zodiac by Elliott Neep
Cruises // arctic & north pacific oceans
Whiskered Auklet by Adam Riley
Red Phalarope by Ignacio Yúfera
a previously off-limits area to foreigners and includes
the Koryak and Kamchatka coastlines, PetropavlovskKamchatskiy, as well as two full days at the Commander
Islands. Birdlife is prolific with thousands upon thousands
of birds migrating to the region in Spring and Summer to
take advantage of the abundant food in the surrounding seas.
This area is also home to large numbers of Brown Bears
and Western Gray Whales, and we should have numerous
sightings of both. Across the Top of the World takes us
literally across the top of the world as we sail through the
Bering Straits to Wrangel and Herald Islands, home to
high densities of Polar Bears, Walrus, Musk Ox, Snowy
Owl, Snow Goose, Ross’s and Ivory Gull and other High
Arctic fauna. These islands are so special that Woolly
Mammoths survived on Wrangel until 1,650BC, thousands
of years after dying out elsewhere! This fascinating voyage
is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to visit the world’s most
remote inhabited region.
Arctic Fox by Ignacio Yúfera
The Northwest Passage is one of our planet's most historic
and elusive sea routes, linking the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans through Canada’s High Arctic. Join us as we sail in
comfort through this dramatic wilderness, first explored by
Barrow, Parry and Franklin almost a century ago – and little
changed since those earlier times. Herds of Walrus, rafts of
seals, pods of whales, prehistoric-looking Musk Ox and the
mighty Polar Bear are all targets. The Canadian Arctic is
also host to numerous special birds, including Ivory Gull,
King Eider, Gyrfalcon, Snowy Owl and Snow Bunting, to
name just a tiny few.
The Pacific Pelagic Odyssey is offered as an extension
to the South West Pacific Odyssey cruise (see page 40). It
takes us north to Japan and crosses deep into the equatorial
ocean desert. Departing from Kokopo, Papua New Guinea,
we traverse the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, finally
concluding in Yokohama, Japan. Targets include Shorttailed Albatross, Tristram’s and Matsudaira’s Storm Petrel,
Japanese Murrelet and several Caroline Islands endemics.
Both these cruises can be undertaken as completely
separate expeditions or linked together for a more fully
comprehensive Pacific adventure.
Ivory Gulls by David Semler
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
Canadian Arctic, Spitsbergen & Russian Far East
King Eider by Ignacio Yúfera
61
O
ur Classic Antarctica cruise is a ‘must’ for every
wildlife and nature enthusiast, and we guarantee
that you will return not only enriched but totally
blown-away by this experience of a lifetime! During this
incredible journey we will explore the remote Falkland
Islands, South Georgia, South Shetlands and, finally,
the Antarctic continent. Along the way we will marvel at
some of the world’s last truly pristine wildernesses and be
treated to spectacular vistas, hauntingly beautiful icebergs
and the planet’s greatest concentrations of marine wildlife.
Walking amongst vast, crowded nesting colonies of over
200,000 displaying King Penguins and their fluffy young
is an experience that defies description. We will also set
foot on Antarctica at the aptly named Paradise Bay, while
our return via the Drake Passage promises to produce some
thrilling pelagic birding, as we search
for species including Wandering and
Light-mantled Albatross, Snow
and Antarctic Petrel, and South
Georgia Diving
Petrel. This cruise also offers
unbeatable
photographic opportunities,
and some of our
departures will have
onboard specialist
Rockjumper birding
leaders along with highly
experienced
expedition leaders.
Our Antarctic Peninsula Adventure cruise is a shorter
excursion, aimed at those with less time who nonetheless
wish to experience a wide array of fantastic Antarctic fauna
against the scenically unmatched backdrop of the Antarctic
Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. This tour takes us
through the seabird-rich waters of the Southern Ocean
to bustling penguin colonies on the shores of the
Great White Continent.
Sailing in comfort aboard our ice-strengthened vessel, our
Weddell Sea - Emperor Penguin Helicopter Expedition
is a 10-night cruise from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel and across the Drake Passage, pelagic birding en route,
to our ultimate destination, the famous Emperor Penguin
rookery on Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea. Along the
way we will enjoy selected landings at remarkable sites on
the Antarctic Continent and South Shetland Islands where
we will encounter several other penguin species. Our ship’s
high-class ice-rating will ensure that our captain can do his
utmost to position the vessel close enough to Snow Hill Island to allow for ship-to-shore helicopter transfers to within
walking distance from the Emperor Penguin rookery. To
maximize our chances of success, we have allocated three
full days to visit the Emperor Penguins by helicopters. If we
succeed during the first two days, we will enjoy an alternative landing in the Weddell Sea, possibly Paulet Island with
100,000 pairs of Adelie Penguins! This voyage is truly an
incredible opportunity, and we invite you to join us on this
once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Our Atlantic Odyssey expedition is an epic 32-day
adventure that traverses some of the most interesting and
Southern Elephant Seal bull by David Shackelford
62
Chinstrap Penguin by Marius Coetzee
Wandering Albatross by Markus Lilje
Cruises // southern & atlantic oceans
Antarctica, Subantarctic Islands & Atlantic Islands
Detailed itineraries, trip reports, photo galleries and other information can be found at www.rockjumperbirding.com
least explored areas in the Southern Ocean; besides the
Antarctic Peninsula, we plan to stop at numerous islands
including Deception, Paulet, South Orkneys, South Georgia,
Gough, Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale, Inaccessible, St.
Helena and Ascension. We also offer a 7-day, post-tour
Ascension Island to Cape Verdes extension, which
will see us crossing the equator while witnessing the
northbound spring migration of birds. Special targets of this
cruise include Northern Rockhopper Penguin, Ascension
Frigatebird, Gough Island Moorhen, Inaccessible Island
Rail, St Helena Plover, Tristan Thrush, Gough Bunting and
a mind-boggling variety of pelagic species.
Our Galápagos of the Southern Ocean cruise sets off
from New Zealand, from where we explore four groups
of Subantarctic islands: the Snares, Auckland, Macquarie
and Campbell Islands. These waters support the richest
seabird assemblage on Earth, plus an impressive diversity
of endemic land birds and waterfowl. Vast penguin and
seabird colonies include the entire world population of
850,000 pairs of Royal Penguins on Macquarie! Other
highlights include Campbell Albatross, White-headed Petrel,
Fulmar Prion and numerous other pelagic species, Snares
Penguin, Macquarie Shag, Auckland and Campbell Teal and
Subantarctic Snipe. This cruise offers a unique opportunity
to visit these remote and little-known islands and their
teeming wildlife.
Snow Petrel by Markus Lilje
King Penguin colony by Marius Coetzee
63
A huge thanks to all the photographers
(guides and friends of Rockjumper) whose
phenomenal images grace the pages of
our tour catalogue. If you would like to
purchase any images or simply see more
of their work please visit the following
websites:
www.bird-stockphotos.photoshelter.
com Adam Riley, Forrest Rowland, Markus
Lilje, Owen Deutsch, Glen Valentine,
Keith Valentine, David Hoddinott, Rainer
Summers, David Erterius
www.oryxphotography.com Marius
Coetzee, Elliott Neep, Dale Morris
www.shutterstock.com/g/richlindie Rich
Lindie
www.birdinfo.co.za Hugh Chittenden
www.pbase.com/dubisha Dubi Shapiro
www.iyufera.com Ignacio Yúfera
www.mindenpictures.com Murray Cooper
www.jaripeltomaki.com Jari Peltomäki
www.dreyerfoto.dk Niels Poul Dreyer
www.mladvaswildlife.com Mladen Vasilev
www.flickr.com/photos/robertccy Robert
Chong
www.500px.com/NimaSarikhani Nima
Sarikhani
John Carlyon, Matthew Matthiessen,
Dave Chantler, James Wakelin, Jonathan
Rossouw, Mike Pope, David Shackelford,
Colin Valentine, Luis Segura, Steven
Phillips, David Semler
Flame Bowerbird on his bower by Markus Lilje
Tour schedule & rates
Please refer to www.rockjumperbirding.com for the latest rates and tour information or
email us at [email protected] for an electronic version that you can print out.
Rockjumper Birding Tours is proud to be associated with these companies and organizations:
Red-necked Tanager by Dubi Shapiro
Recommended Partner
SATIB Insured
Birds & Business
Alliance member
2015 Rates & Tour Schedule
AFRICA & MADAGASCAR*more tours available under CRUISES
2015 Dates
2016 2017
Group Size
2015 Tour Leaders
US$*
GBP*
EURO*
OTHER*
Single Supp flights†
please refer to our website for more information
Angola - Endemics Overland Adventure
4 - 21 Sep (18 days)


10
David Hoddinott & Wayne Jones
Cameroon - Rainforest, Rockfowls & Sahel
14 Mar - 4 Apr (22 days)


8
David Hoddinott
$5 920
£3 490
€ 4 400
R 62 400
$540
Rainforests of Cameroon
5 - 18 Apr (14 days)


8
David Hoddinott
$4 850
£2 850
€ 3 600
R 51 000
$470
Canary Islands - Macaronesian Endemics
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Cape Verde - Island Endemics & Seabirds
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Republic of the Congo - Rainforest Birds & Mammals
n/a


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Egypt - Birds & History
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Jordan - Petra Extension
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Ethiopian Endemics Birding I
11 - 29 Jan (19 days)


8
David Hoddinott
$5 975
£3 520
€ 4 440
R 62 800
$600
Lalibela Historical Extension I
29 Jan - 1 Feb (4 days)


12
Andrew Stainthorpe & David Hoddinott
$1 375
£810
€ 1 020
R 14 500
$115
Djibouti Extension
2 - 6 Feb (5 days)


8
David Hoddinott
$1 750
£1 030
€ 1 300
R 18 400
$390
$490
$430
Ethiopian Endemics Birding II
1 - 19 Feb (19 days)


8
Andrew Stainthorpe
$5 975
£3 520
€ 4 440
R 62 800
$600
Omo Valley Extension I
19 - 26 Feb (8 days)


8
Andrew Stainthorpe
$2 775
£1 630
€ 2 060
R 29 200
$275
$190
Omo Valley Extension II
1 - 8 Nov (8 days)


10
Andrew Stainthorpe & David Bishop
$2 875
£1 690
€ 2 140
R 30 200
$300
$190
Ethiopian Endemics Birding III
8 - 26 Nov (19 days)


10
Andrew Stainthorpe & David Bishop
$6 250
£3 680
€ 4 640
R 65 700
$625
Lalibela Historical Extension II
26 - 29 Nov (4 days)


10
Andrew Stainthorpe & David Bishop
$1 375
£810
€ 1 020
R 14 500
$115
Ethiopian Endemics Birding IV
29 Nov - 17 Dec (19 days)


8
Andrew Stainthorpe
$6 250
£3 680
€ 4 640
R 65 700
$625
Ethiopia Highlights
29 Nov - 10 Dec (12 days)


8
David Bishop
$4 850
£2 860
€ 3 600
R 51 000
$625
Ethiopia Northern Extension - Gondar & Simiens
10 - 15 Dec (6 days)


8
David Bishop
$2 200
£1 300
€ 1 630
R 23 100
$400
$430
$440
Ethiopia Budget Birding
26 Feb - 10 Mar (13 days)


10
Andrew Stainthorpe
$3 750
£2 210
€ 2 790
R 39 400
$275
São Tomé & Príncipe Endemics Extension
15 - 22 Aug (8 days)


8
Markus Lilje
$3 905
£2 300
€ 2 900
R 41 100
$300
$750
Gabon - Rainforest Birds & Mammals
27 Jul - 9 Aug (14 days)


8
Markus Lilje
$8 680
£5 110
€ 6 450
R 91 400
$930
$850
Gabon - Ivindo Extension
10 - 14 Aug (5 days)


8
Markus Lilje
$2 630
£1 550
€ 1 950
R 27 600
$190
$320
Ghana Comprehensive
23 Jan - 10 Feb (19 days)


10
Rich Lindie & local leader
$6 070
£3 575
€ 4 510
R 63 800
$550
Ghana Birds & Butterflies
11 - 24 Feb (14 days)


10
Rich Lindie & local leader
$4 540
£2 680
€ 3 370
R 47 800
$360
Ghana Mega Birding Tour I
24 - 16 Dec (23 days)


10
Keith Valentine & local leader
$6 750
£3 975
€ 5 010
R 71 000
$640
Ghana Mega Birding Tour II
27 Nov - 19 Dec (23 days)


10
Markus Lilje & local leader
$6 750
£3 975
€ 5 010
R 71 000
$640
$2 970
£1 750
€ 2 210
R 31 200
$170
Ghana Budget Birding
13 - 26 Nov (14 days)


8
local leader
The Gambia & Senegal Comprehensive Birding Tour
n/a


10
TBA


6
Rich Lindie
$7 450
£4 390
€ 5 530
R 78 300
$525
6
Rich Lindie
$3 975
£2 340
€ 2 950
R 41 800
$750
please refer to our website for more information
Kenya & Tanzania - Birds & Big Game I
3 - 19 Apr (17 days)
Rwanda Extension - Gorillas & Albertine Rift Endemics
19 - 27 Apr (9 days)


Kenya & Tanzania - Birds & Big Game II
5 - 21 Apr (17 days)


6
Markus Lilje
$7 450
£4 390
€ 5 530
R 78 300
$525
Kenya & Tanzania - Birds & Big Game III
22 Apr - 8 May (17 days)


6
Markus Lilje
$7 450
£4 390
€ 5 530
R 78 300
$525
Kenya & Tanzania - Birds & Big Game IV
27 Apr - 13 May (17 days)


6
Rich Lindie
$7 450
£4 390
€ 5 530
R 78 300
$525
Kenya & Tanzania - Birds & Big Game V
9 - 25 May (17 days)


6
Markus Lilje
$7 450
£4 390
€ 5 530
R 78 300
$525
Please note: All information is subject to change; please visit our www.rockjumperbirding.com for the latest tour dates, rates and availability. * Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies but the tour price is fixed only in the currency printed in bold.
The actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing. The same applies to domestic flight (where applicable) and single supplement rates (ss). † flight rates are only approximations.
2015 Rates & Tour Schedule
Budget Kenya Birding
20 Apr - 4 May (15 days)


12
Andrew Stainthorpe
Kenya Mega Birding Tour
n/a


12
TBA
Tanzania Mega Birding Tour
2 - 27 Sep (26 days)


8
Glen Valentine
Indian Ocean Islands - Mauritius, Rodrigues, Réunion & Seychelles
n/a


10
TBA
$ 4 900
£2 890
€ 3 640
R 51 500
$90
please refer to our website for more information
$13 975
£8 230
€ 10 380
R 146 900
$1 150
$320
please refer to our website for more information
Indian Ocean Islands - Comoros
n/a


8
TBA
Madagascar Highlights I
26 Jul - 9 Aug (15 days)


8
Wayne Jones
$5 350
£3 150
€ 3 970
R 56 200
$825
$890
Madagascar Highlights II
21 Nov - 5 Dec (15 days)


8
David Erterius
$5 350
£3 150
€ 3 970
R 56 200
$825
$890
Madagascar Comprehensive I
6 - 27 Aug (22 days)


8
Wayne Jones
$7 750
£4 560
€ 5 760
R 81 500
$1 100
$1 130
please refer to our website for more information
Madagascar Comprehensive II
22 Oct - 12 Nov (22 days)


8
Wayne Jones
$7 750
£4 560
€ 5 760
R 81 500
$1 100
$1 130
Madagascar Comprehensive III
13 Nov - 4 Dec (22 days)


8
TBA
$7 750
£4 560
€ 5 760
R 81 500
$1 100
$1 130
Madagascar Masoala Extension
8 - 13 Nov (6 days)


8
TBA
$2 400
£1 410
€ 1 780
R 25 200
$485
$590
Madagascar’s Remote North - Pochard & Endangered Endemics
14 Nov - 1 Dec (18 days)


8
Wayne Jones
$6 650
£3 920
€ 4 940
R 69 900
$450
$1 190
$1 190
Tsingy Wood Rail Extension
1 - 4 Dec (4 days)


8
Wayne Jones
Budget Madagascar Birding I
26 Oct - 6 Nov (12 days)


10
David Erterius
$3 450
£2 030
€ 2 560
R 36 300
$375
Malawi - Miombo & Montane Birding
19 - 31 Aug (13 days)


8
Rich Lindie
$4 550
£2 680
€ 3 380
R 47 800
$800
Zambia - South Luangwa Extension
16 - 19 Aug (4 days)


8
Rich Lindie
please refer to our website for more information
please refer to our website for more information
Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls Overland I
5 - 22 Mar (18 days)


8
TBA
$6 640
£3 910
€ 4 920
R 69 750
$400
Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls Overland II
23 Mar - 9 Apr (18 days)


8
TBA
$6 640
£3 910
€ 4 920
R 69 750
$400


8
Andrew Stainthorpe
$6 640
£3 910
€ 4 920
R 69 750
$400
8
Andrew Stainthorpe
$6 640
£3 910
€ 4 920
R 69 750
$400
Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls Overland III
25 Jul - 11 Aug (18 days)
Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls Overland IV
12 - 29 Aug (18 days)


Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls Overland V
22 Sep - 9 Oct (18 days)


8
Rich Lindie
$6 640
£3 910
€ 4 920
R 69 750
$400
Namibia, Okavango & Victoria Falls Overland VI
10 - 27 Oct (18 days)


8
Rich Lindie
$6 640
£3 910
€ 4 920
R 69 750
$400
Tunisia - The Jewel of North Africa
11 - 19 Feb (9 days)


12
Keith Valentine & Mark Beevers
$3 200
£1 880
€ 2 375
R 33 700
$505
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara I
20 Feb - 2 Mar (11 days)


12
Keith Valentine & Mark Beevers
$2 660
£1 570
€ 1 975
R 28 000
$250
Morocco - Atlas to Sahara II
23 Nov - 3 Dec (11 days)


8
Mark Beevers
$2 660
£1 570
€ 1 975
R 28 000
$250
Budget Morocco Birding
3 - 10 Mar (8 days)


10
Mark Beevers
$1 620
£950
€ 1 200
R 17 000
$130
Eastern South Africa I
10 - 23 Jan (14 days)


6
Glen Valentine
$3 970
£2 340
€ 2 940
R 41 750
$270
Cape Extension I
23 - 28 Jan (6 days)


6
Glen Valentine
$1 760
£1 040
€ 1 300
R 18 500
$80
Eastern South Africa II
14 - 27 Feb (14 days)


6
Wayne Jones
$3 970
£2 340
€ 2 940
R 41 750
$270
Cape Extension II
27 Feb - 4 Mar (6 days)


6
Wayne Jones
$1 760
£1 040
€ 1 300
R 18 500
$80
Eastern South Africa III
7 - 20 Mar (14 days)


6
Lee Gutteridge
$3 970
£2 340
€ 2 940
R 41 750
$270
Cape Extension III
20 - 25 Mar (6 days)


6
Lee Gutteridge
$1 760
£1 040
€ 1 300
R 18 500
$80
Eastern South Africa IV
6 - 19 Jun (14 days)


6
Andrew Stainthorpe
$3 970
£2 340
€ 2 940
R 41 750
$270
Cape Extension IV
19 - 24 Jun (6 days)


6
Andrew Stainthorpe
$1 760
£1 040
€ 1 300
R 18 500
$80
Eastern South Africa V
25 Jul - 7 Aug (14 days)


6
Athol Marchant
$3 970
£2 340
€ 2 940
R 41 750
$270
Cape Extension V
7 - 12 Aug (6 days)


6
Athol Marchant
$1 760
£1 040
€ 1 300
R 18 500
$80
$140
$140
$140
$140
$140
Please note: All information is subject to change; please visit our www.rockjumperbirding.com for the latest tour dates, rates and availability. * Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies but the tour price is fixed only in the currency printed in bold.
The actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing. The same applies to domestic flight (where applicable) and single supplement rates (ss). † flight rates are only approximations.
19 Sep - 2 Oct (14 days)


6
Andrew Stainthorpe
$3 970
£2 340
€ 2 940
R 41 750
2 - 7 Oct (6 days)


6
Andrew Stainthorpe
$1 760
£1 040
€ 1 300
R 18 500
$270
$80
Eastern South Africa VII
10 - 23 Oct (14 days)


6
Andrew Stainthorpe
$3 970
£2 340
€ 2 940
R 41 750
$270
Cape Extension VII
23 - 28 Oct (6 days)


6
Andrew Stainthorpe
$1 760
£1 040
€ 1 300
R 18 500
$80
$270
$140
$140
Eastern South Africa VIII
7 - 20 Nov (14 days)


6
Athol Marchant
$3 970
£2 340
€ 2 940
R 41 750
Cape Extension VIII
20 - 25 Nov (6 days)


6
Athol Marchant
$1 760
£1 040
€ 1 300
R 18 500
$80
Eastern South Africa IX
28 Nov - 11 Dec (14 days)


6
Athol Marchant
$3 970
£2 340
€ 2 940
R 41 750
$270
Cape Extension IX
11 - 16 Dec (6 days)


6
Athol Marchant
$1 760
£1 040
€ 1 300
R 18 500
$80
$140
$140
South Africa Mega Birding Tour I
11 Jan - 3 Feb (24 days)


6
Wayne Jones
$6 640
£3 910
€ 4 920
R 69 800
$500
Kruger Extension I
4 - 8 Feb (5 days)


6
Wayne Jones
$1 400
£830
€ 1 040
R 14 800
$260
South Africa Mega Birding Tour II
4 - 27 Oct (24 days)


6
Glen Valentine
$6 640
£3 910
€ 4 920
R 69 800
$500
Kruger Extension II
28 Oct - 1 Nov (5 days)


6
Glen Valentine
$1 400
£830
€ 1 040
R 14 800
$260
$4 140
£2 440
€ 3 070
R 43 500
$560
Cape Wildflowers, Birding & Big Game
21 Aug - 3 Sept (14 days)


6
Patrick Cardwell
Cape to Windhoek - Best of the West
n/a


6
TBA
$140
$140
please refer to our website for more information
Best of South Africa - Cape & Kruger I
9 - 19 Jan (11 days)


6
TBA
$3 590
£2 110
€ 2 660
R 37 800
$400
$260
Best of South Africa - Cape & Kruger II
21 - 31 Aug (11 days)


6
TBA
$3 590
£2 110
€ 2 660
R 37 800
$400
$260
$260
Best of South Africa - Cape & Kruger III
4 - 14 Dec (11 days)


6
TBA
$3 590
£2 110
€ 2 660
R 37 800
$400
Budget Western South Africa I
17 - 28 May (12 days)


8
Athol Marchant
$2 310
£1 360
€ 1 710
R 24 300
$190


6
Athol Marchant
$2 350
£1 390
€ 1 750
R 24 800
$260
6
Andrew Stainthorpe
$2 350
£1 390
€ 1 750
R 24 800
$260
Budget Eastern South Africa I
28 May - 8 Jun (12 days)
Budget Eastern South Africa II
12 - 23 Jul (12 days)


Budget Western South Africa II
1 - 12 Jul (12 days)


6
Andrew Stainthorpe
$2 310
£1 360
€ 1 710
R 24 300
$190
Northern South Africa
5 - 16 Nov (12 days)


6
TBA
$3 690
£2 170
€ 2 730
R 38 750
$430
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas I
23 Jan - 10 Feb (19 days)


10
Markus Lilje & local leader
$8 975
£5 290
€ 6 670
R 94 300
$975
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas II
17 Jun - 5 Jul (19 days)


10
Markus Lilje & local leader
$8 975
£5 290
€ 6 670
R 94 300
$975
Uganda - Birds & Gorillas III
6 - 24 Jul (19 days)


6
Clayton Burne & local leader
$8 975
£5 290
€ 6 670
R 94 300
$975
$4 675
£2 750
€ 3 470
R 49 100
$425
Budget Uganda Birding
5 - 16 Jun (12 days)


12
Markus Lilje & local leader
Zambia - Comprehensive Birding Tour
n/a


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls Extension
n/a


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Best of Birding Zimbabwe
n/a


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Zimbabwe - African Pitta Extension
n/a


8
TBA
Highlights of Africa - Cape, Victoria Falls, Serengeti & Gorillas
3 - 16 Sep (14 days)


6
Rich Lindie
please refer to our website for more information
$6 975
£4 110
€ 5 180
R 73 300
$750
EUROPE*more tours available under CRUISES
2015 Dates
US$*
GBP*
EURO*
OTHER*
Bulgaria & Romania - Winter Birding
1 - 9 Feb (9 days)


12
Mark Beevers & local leader
$2 120
£1 250
€ 1 575
R 22 300
$170
Birding Central & Eastern Europe
25 May - 06 Jun (13 days)


12
Mark Beevers & local leader
$3 975
£3 980
€ 2 950
R 41 800
$425
Georgia & Armenia - Birding the Caucas
n/a


12
TBA
Iceland’s Birds & Wildlife
27 May - 5 Jun (10 days)


12
Keith Valentine & local leader
2016 2017 Max. Group Size 2015 Tour Leaders
$1 450
Single Supp flights*
please refer to our website for more information
$4 780
£2 820
€ 3 550
R 50 300
$370
Please note: All information is subject to change; please visit our www.rockjumperbirding.com for the latest tour dates, rates and availability. * Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies but the tour price is fixed only in the currency printed in bold.
The actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing. The same applies to domestic flight (where applicable) and single supplement rates (ss). † flight rates are only approximations.
2015 Rates & Tour Schedule
Eastern South Africa VI
Cape Extension VI
2015 Rates & Tour Schedule
Birding Finland & Sweden
11 - 22 May (12 days)


12
David Erterius & local leader
Birding Spain
25 Apr - 10 May (16 days)


12
David Erterius & local leader
ASIA*more tours available under CRUISES
2015 Dates
Bhutan - Birding the Buddhist Kingdom I
21 Mar - 09 Apr (20 days)
2016 2017 Max. Group Size 2015 Tour Leaders


12
Glen Valentine & Wayne Jones
please refer to our website for more information
$4 875
£2 870
€ 3 620
R 51 200
US$*
GBP*
EURO*
OTHER*
$7 500
£4 420
€ 5 570
R 78 800
$415
Single Supp flights*
$500
Assam Birding & Big Game Extension I
17 - 21 Mar (5 days)


12
Glen Valentine & Wayne Jones
$1 390
£820
€ 1 030
INR 83 500
$290
Bhutan - Birding the Buddhist Kingdom II
16 Apr - 05 May (20 days)


8
Wayne Jones
$7 500
£4 420
€ 5 570
R 78 800
$500
Assam Birding & Big Game Extension II
12 - 16 Apr (5 days)


8
Wayne Jones
$1 390
£820
€ 1 030
INR 83 500
$290
Bhutan - Birding the Buddhist Kingdom III
1 - 20 Apr (20 days)


8
TBA
$7 500
£4 420
€ 5 570
R 78 800
$500
Assam Birding & Big Game Extension III
27 - 31 Mar (5 days)


8
TBA
$1 390
£820
€ 1 030
INR 83 500
$290
Budget Bhutan Birding
14 - 27 Feb (14 days)


12
TBA
$4 675
£2 750
€ 3 470
R 49 100
$350
Nepal - Birding the Himalayas
n/a


10
TBA
China Winter Birding
24 Jan - 6 Feb (14 days)


10
David Bishop & local leader
$175
please refer to our website for more information
$4 440
£2 620
€ 3 300
CNY 27 500
$390
$280
Best of China - Tibetan Plateau & Beidaihe
30 Sep - 19 Oct (20 days)


10
David Erterius & local leader
$5 970
£3 520
€ 4 440
CNY 37 000
$565
$530
Lhasa Birding & Cultural Extension
26 - 30 Sep (5 days)


10
David Erterius & local leader
$1 860
£1 090
€ 1 380
CNY 11 500
$145
$560
$170
China - Yunnan Birding Extension
2 - 9 May (8 days)


12
Glen Valentine & local leader
$2 050
£1 210
€ 1 520
R 21 600
$225
China - Sichuan Birding
9 - 27 May (19 days)


12
Glen Valentine & local leader
$5 400
£3 180
€ 4 010
R 56 800
$725
The Best of Taiwan
28 May - 7 June (11 days)


10
Glen Valentine & local leader
$3 650
£2 150
€ 2 710
R 38 400
$375
Southern India - Birding & Wildlife of the Western Ghats I
8 - 19 Jan (12 days)


12
David Erterius & local leader
$3 575
£2 110
€ 2 660
R 37 600
$975


12
David Erterius & local leader
$3 400
£2 000
€ 2 530
R 35 700
$425
12
David Erterius & local leader
$5 400
£3 180
€ 4 010
R 56 800
$1 250
Sri Lanka - Endemic Birds & Big Game I
19 - 29 Jan (11 days)
Northern India - Birds & Tigers I
30 Jan - 16 Feb (18 days)


Western India - Desert Specials
16 Feb - 2 Mar (15 days)


12
David Erterius & local leader
$4 400
£2 590
€ 3 270
R 46 300
$750
Northern India - Birds & Tigers II
30 Nov - 17 Dec (18 days)


12
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$5 400
£3 180
€ 4 010
R 56 800
$1 250
Southern India - Birding & Wildlife of the Western Ghats II
8 - 19 Nov (12 days)


12
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$3 575
£2 110
€ 2 660
R 37 600
$975
Sri Lanka - Endemic Birds & Big Game II
19 - 29 Nov (11 days)


12
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$3 400
£2 000
€ 2 530
R 35 700
$425
North Eastern India - Eagles Nest & Beyond
10 - 29 Apr (20 days)


8
Glen Valentine
$5 320
£3 140
€ 3 960
INR 320 000
$970
Japan - Spring Birding
13 - 27 May (15 days)


12
Wayne Jones & local leader
please refer to our website for more information
Japan in Winter
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Japan - Southern Islands Extension
7 - 13 May (7 days)


12
Wayne Jones & local leader
please refer to our website for more information
Oman & UAE - Arabian Birding Adventure
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Jordan - Petra Extension
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Mongolia - Birding the Gobi & Beyond
24 May - 12 Jun (20 days)


12
David Erterius & local leader
please refer to our website for more information
please refer to our website for more information
Kazakhstan - Best of Central Asia
n/a


12
TBA
Uzbekistan - Deserts & Mountains Extension
n/a


12
TBA
Malaysia & Borneo - Rainforest Birds & Mammals I
17 Mar - 4 Apr (19 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$6 530
£3 850
€ 4 850
MYR 20 750
$1 340
Borneo - Black Oriole & Dulit Frogmouth Extension I
05 Apr - 10 Apr (6 days)


8
Erik Forsyth
$1 950
£1 150
€ 1 450
R 20 500
$70
Malaysia & Borneo - Rainforest Birds & Mammals II
8 - 26 Jun (19 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$6 530
£3 850
€ 4 850
MYR 20 750
$1 340
$290
$50
please refer to our website for more information
$530
$530
Please note: All information is subject to change; please visit our www.rockjumperbirding.com for the latest tour dates, rates and availability. * Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies but the tour price is fixed only in the currency printed in bold.
The actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing. The same applies to domestic flight (where applicable) and single supplement rates (ss). † flight rates are only approximations.
27 Jun - 2 Jul (6 days)


8
Erik Forsyth
$1 950
£1 150
€ 1 450
R 20 500
$70
22 Jun - 1 Jul (10 days)


12
David Erterius & local leader
$3 350
£1 970
€ 2 490
R 35 200
$675
$160
Budget Borneo Birding II
2 - 11 Jul (10 days)


12
David Erterius & local leader
$3 400
£2 000
€ 2 530
R 35 700
$700
$160
Borneo - Land of Pittas, Broadbills & Orangutan
3 - 19 Jul (17 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$6 950
£4 090
€ 5 160
R 73 100
$1 450
$160
Indonesia - Bali Birding Extension II
20 - 26 Jul (7 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$2 200
£1 300
€ 1 630
R 23 100
$600
Myanmar - Endemics of Remote Asia I
10 - 23 Jan (14 days)


8
David Bishop
$4 950
£2 920
€ 3 680
R 52 000
$325
Myanmar - Endemics of Remote Asia II
1 - 14 Dec (14 days)


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Myanmar - Gurney’s Pitta Extension
$400
The Philippines - Endangered Endemics
1 - 19 May (19 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$5 250
£3 090
€ 3 900
R 55 200
$625
$500
The Philippines - Visayan Islands Extension
19 - 24 May (6 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$1 800
£1 060
€ 1 340
R 18 900
$210
$350
$3 450
£2 030
€ 2 560
R 36 300
$500
$250
The Philippines Highlights
21 - 30 Apr (10 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & local leader
The Best of Birding Vietnam & Cambodia
n/a


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
please refer to our website for more information
Cambodia - Angkor Watt & Remote Birding Extension
n/a


8
TBA
Northern & Central Thailand - Asian Birding at its Best I
20 Feb - 9 Mar (18 days)


12
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$5 550
£3 270
€ 4 120
R 58 300
$675
$200
Southern Thailand Extension - Rainforest Birding I
9 - 15 Mar (7 days)


12
Erik Forsyth & local leader
$2 150
£1 270
€ 1 600
R 22 600
$200
$230
Northern & Central Thailand - Asian Birding at its Best II
27 Nov - 14 Dec (18 days)


12
Glen Valentine & local leader
$5 550
£3 270
€ 4 120
R 58 300
$675
$200
Southern Thailand Extension - Rainforest Birding II
14 - 20 Dec (7 days)


12
Glen Valentine & local leader
$2 150
£1 270
€ 1 600
R 22 600
$200
$230
Indonesia - Sulawesi & Halmahera - Wallacean Endemics
9 - 26 Aug (18 days)


8
David Erterius & local leader
$5 050
£2 980
€ 3 750
IDR 58 500 000
$370
$320
Indonesia - Bali Birding Extension I
26 Aug - 1 Sep (7 days)


10
David Erterius & local leader
$2 200
£1 300
€ 1 630
R 23 100
$600
Indonesia - Lesser Sundas Endemics
1 - 18 Sep (18 days)

8
David Erterius & local leader
$4 975
£2 930
€ 3 700
R 52 300
$750

Indonesia - Buru Extension
23 - 28 Oct (6 days)


TBA
David Hoddinott & David Bishop
please refer to our website for more information
Indonesia - West Papua
n/a


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Indonesia - Sumatra & Java
n/a


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
AUSTRALASIA*more tours available under CRUISES
2015 Dates
Papua New Guinea Highlights Extension
12 - 19 Sep (8 days)
2016 2017 Max. Group Size 2015 Tour Leaders


8
US$*
GBP*
EURO*
OTHER*
$480
Single Supp flights*
please refer to our website for more information
Erik Forsyth & local leaders
Australia - South West Extension
19 - 25 Sep (7 days)


12
Erik Forsyth & local leaders
$2 680
£1 580
€ 2 030
AUD 2 850
$540
$530
Australia’s East Coast
25 Sep - 15 Oct (21 days)


12
Erik Forsyth & local leaders
$9 390
£5 530
€ 7 100
AUD 9 975
$1 690
$410
$580
Australia - Tasmania Extension
15 - 19 Oct (5 days)


12
Erik Forsyth & local leaders
$2 210
£1 300
€ 1 670
AUD 2 350
$420
Comprehensive New Zealand I
10 - 27 Jan (18 days)


8
Erik Forsyth
$8 480
£4 280
€ 5 390
NZD 8 475
$840
Comprehensive New Zealand II
20 Oct - 6 Nov (18 days)


8
Erik Forsyth
$8 480
£4 280
€ 5 390
NZD 8 475
$840
South West Pacific Islands - Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu & New Caledonia
12 Jul - 2 Aug (22 days)


12
David Hoddinott & David Bishop
please refer to our website for more information
please refer to our website for more information
Solomon Islands Endemics
n/a


12
TBA
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise I
28 Jun - 15 Jul (18 days)


10
Glen Valentine & Adam Walleyn
$10 230
£6 030
€ 7 600
PGK 24 950
$1 280
New Britain Endemics Extension I
15 - 19 Jul (5 days)


10
Glen Valentine & Adam Walleyn
$1 975
£1 160
€ 1 470
R 20 800
$250
$355
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise II
19 Jul - 5 Aug (18 days)


10
Glen Valentine & Adam Walleyn
$10 230
£6 030
€ 7 600
PGK 24 950
$1 280
$1 140
New Britain Endemics Extension II
5 - 9 Aug (5 days)


10
Glen Valentine & Adam Walleyn
$1 975
£1 160
€ 1 470
R 20 800
$250
$355
$1 140
Please note: All information is subject to change; please visit our www.rockjumperbirding.com for the latest tour dates, rates and availability. * Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies but the tour price is fixed only in the currency printed in bold.
The actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing. The same applies to domestic flight (where applicable) and single supplement rates (ss). † flight rates are only approximations.
2015 Rates & Tour Schedule
Borneo - Black Oriole & Dulit Frogmouth Extension II
Budget Borneo Birding I
2015 Rates & Tour Schedule
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise III
9 - 26 Aug (18 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & Adam Walleyn
$10 230
£6 030
€ 7 600
PGK 24 950
$1 280
New Britain Endemics Extension III
26 - 30 Aug (5 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & Adam Walleyn
$1 975
£1 160
€ 1 470
R 20 800
$250
$355
Papua New Guinea - Birding in Paradise IV
30 Aug - 16 Sep (18 days)


10
Erik Forsyth & Adam Walleyn
$10 230
£6 030
€ 7 600
PGK 24 950
$1 280
$1 140
SOUTH AMERICA*more tours available under CRUISES
2015 Dates
US$*
GBP*
EURO*
OTHER*
2016 2017 Max. Group Size 2015 Tour Leaders
$1 140
Single Supp flights*
Argentina - Cordoba Extension
21 - 25 Sep (5 days}


8
Luis Segura
$1 300
£770
€ 970
R 13 700
$150
Northern Argentina Comprehensive Birding Tour
25 Sep - 15 Oct (21 days)


8
Luis Segura
$6 350
£3 740
€ 4 720
R 66 800
$550
Hooded Grebe Extension
15 - 20 Oct (6 days)


8
Luis Segura
$2 350
£1 380
€ 1 750
R 24 700
$225
Bolivia Mega Birding Tour
1 - 23 Sep (23 days)


10
Forrest Rowland & local leader
$7 750
£4 560
€ 5 760
R 81 500
$200
Argentina - Iguaçu Falls Extension I
2 - 6 Sept (5 days)


10
Clayton Burne & local leader
$1 625
£960
€ 1 210
R 17 100
$300
Brazil - Birds & Wildlife of the Pantanal & Cerrado I
24 Aug - 2 Sep (10 days)


12
Clayton Burne & local leader
$3 975
£2 340
€ 2 950
R 41 800
$525
$390
Brazil - Amazon Rainforest Birding Extension I
19 - 24 Aug (6 days)


8
Clayton Burne & local leader
$2 700
£1 590
€ 2 010
R 28 400
$300
$290
Argentina - Iguaçu Falls Extension II
6 - 10 Sep (5 days)


10
Clayton Burne & local leader
$1 625
£960
€ 1 210
R 17 100
$300
$390
Brazil - Birds & Wildlife of the Pantanal & Cerrado II
10 - 19 Sep (10 days)


12
Clayton Burne & local leader
$3 975
£2 340
€ 2 950
R 41 800
$525
Brazil - Amazon Rainforest Birding Extension II
19 - 24 Sep (6 days)


8
Clayton Burne & local leader
$2 400
£1 410
€ 1 780
R 25 200
$280
Brazil - Serra dos Tucanos I
2 - 9 Feb (8 days)


8
local leader
$2 120
£1 250
€ 1 580
R 22 300
$280
Brazil - Serra dos Tucanos II
30 Nov - 7 Dec (8 days)


8
local leader
$2 120
£1 250
€ 1 580
R 22 300
$280
South Eastern Brazil - Minas Gerais Extension
26 Oct - 1 Nov (7 days)


10
Forrest Rowland & local leader
please refer to our website for more information
South Eastern Brazil - Atlantic Forest Endemics
1 - 15 Nov (15 days)


10
Forrest Rowland & local leader
please refer to our website for more information
South Eastern Brazil - Rio Grande do Sul Extension
15 - 21 Nov (7 days)


10
Forrest Rowland & local leader
please refer to our website for more information
Brazil - Manaus & the Amazon
n/a

10
TBA
please refer to our website for more information

Brazil - Amazonia National Park Extension
n/a


10
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Brazil - Rio Rooseveldt & Porto Velhos
n/a


10
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Brazil - Carajas Extension
n/a


10
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Brazil - North Eastern Endemics - Alagoas & Beyond
n/a


10
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
$290
please refer to our website for more information
Brazil - North Eastern Endemics - Bahia & Beyond
n/a


10
TBA
Chile - Birds, Wildlife & Andean Landscapes
2 - 14 Dec (13 days)


12
TBA
$5 650
£3 330
€ 4 200
R 59 400
$800
$300
Chile - Arica Extension
27 Nov - 2 Dec (6 days)


12
TBA
$2 150
£1 270
€ 1 600
R 22 600
$250
$280
Colombia - Andean Endemics
8 - 25 Nov (18 days)


8
Rob Williams
$5 450
£3 210
€ 4 050
R 57 300
$450
$110
Colombia - Santa Marta Extension
25 - 30 Nov (6 days)


8
Rob Williams
$1 975
£1 160
€ 1 470
R 20 800
$225
$110
Colombia Highlights
1 - 15 Dec (15 days)


10
Rob Williams & local leader
$5 550
£3 270
€ 4 120
R 58 300
$500
$230
Colombia 1,000 Birds Mega Tour I
18 Jan - 16 Feb (30 days)


8
Forrest Rowland
$9 250
£5 450
€ 6 870
R 97 200
$625
$780
$9 450
£5 570
€ 7 020
R 99 300
$625
$780
Colombia 1,000 Birds Mega Tour II
8 Nov - 7 Dec (30 days)


8
Clayton Burne & local leader
Remote Colombia
n/a


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Ecuador - Sani Extension
30 Mar - 3 Apr (5 days)


8
Rob Williams
$1 650
£970
€ 1 230
R 17 300
$495
$210
Northern Ecuador - Birding the Andes to the Amazon
3 - 18 Apr (16 days)


8
Rob Williams
$5 125
£3 020
€ 3 810
R 53 900
$850
$210
Ecuador - Northwest Extension
n/a


8
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Please note: All information is subject to change; please visit our www.rockjumperbirding.com for the latest tour dates, rates and availability. * Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies but the tour price is fixed only in the currency printed in bold.
The actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing. The same applies to domestic flight (where applicable) and single supplement rates (ss). † flight rates are only approximations.
6 - 11 Mar (6 days)


8
Forrest Rowland
$1 750
£1 030
€ 1 300
R 18 400
$325
11 - 26 Mar (16 days)


8
Forrest Rowland
$4 450
£2 620
€ 3 310
R 46 800
$500
Forrest Rowland
$1 050
£620
€ 780
R 200
$200
Ecuador - Cuenca Extension
26 - 29 Mar (4 days)


8
Ecuador - The Galapagos Cruise
n/a


TBA
$290
$90
please refer to our website for more information
TBA
Guyana - Birds & Wildlife
23 Oct - 3 Nov (12 days)


8
Chris Sharpe
$4 875
£2 870
€ 3 620
R 51 200
$500
Guyana - Sun Parakeet & Red Siskin Extension
3 - 8 Nov (6 days)


8
Chris Sharpe
$2 750
£1 620
€ 2 040
R 28 900
$100
Paraguay - Birds & Wildlife
26 Sep - 13 Oct (18 days)


12
Clayton Burne & local leader
$6 030
£3 550
€ 4 475
R 63 400
$440
Northern Peru - Marañón Endemics & Marvelous Spatuletail
4 - 25 Sep (22 days)


8
Rob Williams
$5 350
£3 150
€ 3 970
R 56 200
$350
$560
Classic Peru - Machu Picchu to Manu
26 Sep - 15 Oct (20 days)


8
Rob Williams
$6 975
£4 110
€ 5 180
R 73 300
$625
$280
Venezuela - Birds & Wildlife
n/a


8
TBA
CENTRAL AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN
2015 Dates
Cuba - Caribbean Endemic Birding I
21 Feb - 1 Mar (9 days)


8
Clayton Burne
Cuba - Caribbean Endemic Birding II
2 - 10 Mar (9 days)


8
Clayton Burne
Mexico - Yucatan Extension I
10 - 16 Mar (7 days)


8
Clayton Burne & local leader
Cuba - Caribbean Endemic Birding III
9 - 17 Feb (9 days)


10
Chris Sharpe & local leader
Cuba - Caribbean Endemic Birding IV
18 - 26 Feb (9 days)


10
Chris Sharpe & local leader
2016 2017 Max. Group Size 2015 Tour Leaders
please refer to our website for more information
US$*
GBP*
EURO*
OTHER*
$2 790
£1 650
€ 2 075
R 29 400
Single Supp flights*
$2 790
£1 650
€ 2 075
R 29 400
$160
$2 400
£1 410
€ 1 780
R 25 200
$300
$2 790
£1 650
€ 2 075
R 29 400
$160
$2 790
£1 650
€ 2 075
R 29 400
$160
$160
Mexico - Yucatan Extension II
26 Feb - 4 Mar (7 days)


8
Chris Sharpe & local leader
$2 400
£1 410
€ 1 780
R 25 200
$300
Costa Rica - Cloud Forest & Quetzals
25 Oct - 7 Nov (14 days)


10
Clayton Burne & local leader
$4 275
£2 520
€ 3 180
R 44 900
$450


10
Clayton Burne & local leader
$1 400
£820
€ 1 040
R 14 700
$160
10
Clayton Burne & local leader
$2 700
£1 590
€ 2 010
R 28 400
$310
$1 600
£940
€ 1 190
R 16 800
$170
Guatemala - Atlantic Slope Extension
13 - 17 Jan (5 days)
Guatemala - Central American Specialties
17 - 25 Jan (9 days)


Guatemala - Tikal Extension
25 - 29 Jan (5 days)


10
Clayton Burne & local leader
Best of Belize Extension
5 - 11 Dec (7 days)


10
Chris Sharpe & local leader
please refer to our website for more information
Best of Honduras
11 - 19 Dec (9 days)


10
Chris Sharpe & local leader
please refer to our website for more information
Panama - Chiriquí Highlands Extension
n/a


10
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Best of Birding Panama
n/a


10
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
The Lesser Antilles - Island Endemics
n/a


8
TBA
Jamaica - Island Endemics
7 - 12 Feb (6 days)


10
Clayton Burne & local leader
£1 470
€ 1 860
R 26 300
$415
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola I
13 - 20 Feb (8 days)


10
Clayton Burne & local leader
$2 800
£1 650
€ 2 080
R 29 400
$140
1 - 8 Feb (8 days)


10
Chris Sharpe & local leader
$2 800
£1 650
€ 2 080
R 29 400
$140
Puerto Rico - Island Endemics
31 Jan - 6 Feb (7 days)


10
Clayton Burne & local leader
$2 350
£1 380
€ 1 750
R 24 700
$375
Birding Trinidad & Tobago
22 Mar - 1 Apr (11 days)


10
Clayton Burne & local leader
$4 200
£2 470
€ 3 120
R 44 200
$850
US$*
GBP*
EURO*
OTHER*
2015 Dates
Mexico Mega Birding Tour
n/a
2016 2017 Max. Group Size 2015 Tour Leaders


10
$240
please refer to our website for more information
$2 500
Dominican Republic - Endemics of Hispaniola II
NORTH AMERICA*more tours available under CRUISES
$850
$60
Single Supp flights*
please refer to our website for more information
TBA
Alaska - Nome & Seward Peninsula
29 May - 2 Jun (5 days)


8
TBA
$2 650
£1 560
€ 1 970
R 27 900
$400
Alaska - Barrow - the High Arctic
2 - 4 Jun (3 days)


8
TBA
$2 450
£1 440
€ 1 820
R 25 800
$200
Alaska - Denali & Kenai
5 - 13 Jun (9 days)


8
TBA
$4 500
£2 650
€ 3 340
R 47 300
$750
Please note: All information is subject to change; please visit our www.rockjumperbirding.com for the latest tour dates, rates and availability. * Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies but the tour price is fixed only in the currency printed in bold.
The actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing. The same applies to domestic flight (where applicable) and single supplement rates (ss). † flight rates are only approximations.
2015 Rates & Tour Schedule
Ecuador - Shiripuno Amazon Adventure Extension
South Ecuador Endemics
2015 Rates & Tour Schedule
Alaska - Pribilof Islands
13 - 16 Jun (4 days)


8
TBA
$2 975
£1 750
€ 2 210
R 31 300
$200
$3 150
£1 860
€ 2 340
R 33 100
$700
Arizona - Best of the Southwest
15 - 26 May (12 days)


12
Forrest Rowland
Best of California Birding
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Colorado - The Prairie Chicken Tour
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Texas - Whooping Cranes & Lower Rio Grande Valley
n/a

12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information

Texas - Rio Grande Valley & Hill Country
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Texas - Western Extension
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
Hawaii - Island Endemics & Pelagics
n/a


12
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
CRUISES
2015 Dates
Antarctic Peninsula Adventure I
6 - 16 Mar (11 days)
2016 2017 Max. Group Size 2015 Tour Leaders


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
US$*
GBP*
EURO*
OTHER*
$6 795
£4 000
€ 5 050
R 71 400
Atlantic Odyssey - Ushuaia to Ascension
23 Mar - 23 Apr (32 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$7 250
£4 270
€ 5 380
R 76 200
Atlantic Odyssey Extension - Ascension to Cape Verde
23 - 29 Apr (7 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$1 050
£620
€ 780
R 11 000
Classic Antarctica - Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica I
19 Nov - 7 Dec (19 days)


TBA
Peter Ryan & expedition leaders
$12 595
£7 420
€ 9 350
R 132 400
R 146 100
Classic Antarctica - Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica II
28 Dec 2015 - 15 Jan 2016 (19 days)


TBA
Glen Valentine & expedition leaders
$13 895
£8 180
€ 10 320
Antarctic Peninsula Adventure II
8 - 18 Dec (11 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$6 795
£4 000
€ 5 050
R 71 400
Christmas in Antarctica
20 - 28 Dec (9 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$5 595
£3 290
€ 4 160
R 58 800
Weddell Sea - Emperor Penguin Helicopter Expedition
26 Nov - 6 Dec (11 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$11 550
£6 800
€ 8 580
R 121 400
Canadian Arctic - Northwest Passage
12 - 24 Aug (13 days)
Single Supp flights*


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$8 395
£4 940
€ 6 240
R 88 300
Galapagos of the Southern Ocean - Australasian Subantarctic Islands 3 - 15 Dec (13 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$6 600
£3 890
€ 4 900
R 69 400
Indonesia - West Papuan Island Cruise
9 - 22 Oct (14 days)


TBA
David Bishop & David Hoddinott
please refer to our website for more information
Far Eastern Indonesia Cruise
n/a


TBA
TBA
please refer to our website for more information
The Maldives - Cetacean & Seabird Cruise
9 - 20 Nov (12 days)


TBA
local leader
$2 700
£1 590
€ 2 010
R 28 400
Melanesia Discoverer Cruise
13 - 26 Oct (14 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$6 995
£4 120
€ 5 200
R 73 500
Secrets of Melanesia Cruise
26 Oct - 05 Nov (11 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$5 995
£3 530
€ 4 450
R 63 000
R 133 500
South West Pacific Odyssey Cruise
6 - 23 Apr (18 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$12 700
£7 480
€ 9 430
Pacific Pelagic Odyssey Cruise
23 Apr - 7 May (15 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$3 500
£2 060
€ 2 600
R 36 800
Russia’s Ring of Fire
27 May - 8 Jun (13 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$7 300
£4 300
€ 5 420
R 76 700
Russia - Sea of Okhotsk
9 - 20 Jun (12 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$6 700
£3 950
€ 4 980
R 70 400
R 117 700
Russia - Across the Top of the World - Wrangel & Herald Islands
4 - 18 Aug (15 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$11 200
£6 600
€ 8 320
Russia - Siberia’s Forgotten Coast
24 Jun - 7 Jul (14 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$8 000
£4 710
€ 5 940
R 84 100
Russia - Jewel of the Russian Far East
1 - 13 Sep (13 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$7 200
£4 240
€ 5 350
R 75 700
Spitsbergen Explorer - Land of Arctic Dreams I
12 - 24 Jun (13 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$6 795
£4 000
€ 5 050
R 71 400
Spitsbergen Explorer - Land of Arctic Dreams II
13 - 22 Jul (10 days)


TBA
TBA & expedition leaders
$5 095
£3 000
€ 3 780
R 53 600
Please note: All information is subject to change; please visit our www.rockjumperbirding.com for the latest tour dates, rates and availability. * Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we quote our tours in 4 currencies but the tour price is fixed only in the currency printed in bold.
The actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing. The same applies to domestic flight (where applicable) and single supplement rates (ss). † flight rates are only approximations.